Citroën delivers a connected C4, as VW gets in on the internet act.
The French automotive manufacturer has partnered with Technicolor using a system called Qeo to create its first Internet-connected vehicle for its C4 model.
Initially the system will operate from a smart USB memory stick plugged into a dashboard port, but the company is aiming for full integration into the vehicle’s communication and GPS system.
The car will connect with personal devices such as smartphones, tablets, a set top box or TVs.
Never too late
With real-time updates monitoring the car's distance from home, domestic devices could be programmed to stream, for example, a televised football match to the car if the driver is likely to be home too late to watch it live. This always presumes the driver parks somewhere safe before viewing, of course!
SmileDrive Image: VW Group |
The driver's chosen route and destination could be adapted in response to communication between the vehicle and other devices. So, it may even be possible to invite friends to meet without having to make a phone call or program the satnav.
The Qeo-adapted C4 Picasso is currently available in Europe only.
VW in on the act
Meanwhile Volkswagen has produced an app called SmileDrive which automatically connects the vehicle to the internet whenever the user is in their car.
It offers them different ways to engage with the drive, including recording aspects of the journey and adding friends to allow them to monitor the trip.