Fujitsu's in-car safety tech senses drowsiness, reacts to wake you up

Not that we haven't seen similar technology from other outfits before, but we'll take as many in-car safety advancements as we can get. It's bruited that Fujitsu is conjuring up a sophisticated sensor system that can actually detect when a driver gets drowsy or begins to sink into a deep, dark wonder-world of sleep. Put simply, the system would detect specific changes in the motorist's heart rate via the steering wheel, and once it determined that you weren't exactly "with it" any longer, the car could then roll its own windows down, blast the stereo or jolt the wheel in order to get your attention. In our minds, the biggest issue here is to not cause an accident by spooking a sleepy driver out of their slumber, and we presume that's exactly what the company is working on in its R&D labs.
[Via: Engadget ] [Tag: automotive, dozing, driver, driving, drowsy, feedback, Fujitsu, heart rate, HeartRate, safety, sensor, sensors, sleep, sleeping, sleepy ]

Google Android open-source OS could come to cars

It's no secret that our cars are quickly becoming extensions of our data-crazed lives. Everywhere we go, we surround ourselves with electronics meant to make our lives more convenient. Plus, most of these gadgets are just plain cool. Microsoft and Ford started something with the SYNC system and Apple has the market cornered with its iPod and iPhone, with integration of those i-devices now becoming popular options with car shoppers. Don't expect Google to sit back and watch. The internet giant has teamed up with an impressive list of major players, including Intel and Wind River Systems. These companies are actively working on getting their Android open-source operating system integrated into cars as we speak. If we had to wager a guess, it would be BMW that's most likely to roll out a new Android-powered infotainment system first, possibly as early as next year according to John Bruggeman, chief marketing officer at Wind River. For an early look at the first device with the Android OS, check out Engadget's recent feature.
[Via: CNET ] [Tag: android, android open source, android os, AndroidOpenSource, AndroidOs, google, google android, GoogleAndroid, open source car, open source os, OpenSourceCar, OpenSourceOs ]

Knight Rider-themed GPS system with authentic KITT voice

Click above to view more shots of the Mio Knight Rider GPS
"Michael, you're going the wrong way, you ninny." For all you Knight Rider fans no longer moved by finding a perfect 45 rpm single of "A Knight Rider Christmas," Mio has a brand new toy that's capable of Knight Industries Two Thousand level antics. The Knight Rider-themed GPS unit has voice prompts recorded by the one-and-only William Daniels (thankfully not Val Kilmer), the original voice of KITT, and asks cordially "Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?" when powered up. The LCD display is also flanked by a series of red LEDs reminiscent of KITT's nose-mounted lights. Once the unit is available for sale, about $270 is all it'll take to get KITT in your KARR. Thanks for the tip, Dan!
[Via: Next Autos ] [Tag: knight rider, knight rider gps, KnightRider, KnightRiderGps, mio gps, mio knight rider, mio knight rider gps, MioGps, MioKnightRider, MioKnightRiderGps ]

BMW pushes for in-car open source platform

At the Convergence 2008 automotive electronics conference this week, BMW has revealed that it is looking for partners to develop an open-source car computing platform that would allow third-party suppliers to develop plug-and-play applications for their vehicles. The company is enthusiastic about the potential for such a system, particularly mentioning how open platforms are able to keep pace with the rapid advances in technology.
Though no other car makers are yet officially on board, it seems BMW will be moving ahead with or without any assistance, claiming it plans to have the open-source system in a vehicle selling 200,000 or more units over the next five to seven years. It’s good to see BMW is keeping an open mind with the software they use in their cars, not to mention this could be an important development for Linux in the mobile and embedded system markets.
A number of other automakers have also expressed interest in open platforms, including Honda and Ford, which currently use Microsoft-developed systems for their vehicles.
[Via: Jose Vilches ] [Tag: ]