In-car tech devices and gadgets

[Marjo]

Hi guys, how's your week going so far?

I was reading this article on Spotify's in-car music player device that they are rumoured to be developing and launching this year. I thought that's pretty cool, there's no need to use your mobile phone for that anymore.

Apart from this device, I started to think there must actually be all kinds of interesting gadgets and accessories meant for in-car use that I haven't even thought about. There's the usual things we hear about nowadays such as dashboard cameras and phone chargers that plug into the car, or devices that link to your smartphone and help find where your car is parked, led lighting to enhance the atmosphere inside your car....

I've always thought how awesome it would be to have something like a coffee machine that makes you a cup of coffee for the journey.  I just googled it and apparently there are portable espresso makers for cars...

If you could add any tech/gadgets you wanted to your car (either as driver or passenger, or both), which ones would that be? Have you seen any cool ones that already exist?

[TallTrees]

Hi @Marjo

The best thing that I could get for my car would be a chauffeur ~ not high tech though, low tech but

absolutely perfect 

[sheepdog]

I miss the electric aerial but thanks to advances in aerial technology (seriously) we don't get the long extendable ones that you forgot to put down in a car wash. 

Otherwise, not keen on much more in the car other than a dashcam as I prefer the driving. Perhaps an ejector seat or a James Bond array of gadgets to ensure I don't have to suffer road rage  I've always wanted something like Super Pursuit Mode from Knight Rider: 

Sheepdog in "I actually do have an S button in my car as standard" mode

[gmarkj]

The best gadgets are the ones that provide a tangible benefit.
For example, I have heard that a manufacturer has added "night vision" which improves the visibility at night. Others include a HUD which overlays information on the screen (speed, directions, etc).
Anything that makes cars safer to drive (or be on the road with) is a positive.

[Cleoriff]

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@gmarkj wrote:
The best gadgets are the ones that provide a tangible benefit.
For example, I have heard that a manufacturer has added "night vision" which improves the visibility at night. Others include a HUD which overlays information on the screen (speed, directions, etc).
Anything that makes cars safer to drive (or be on the road with) is a positive.

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I had heard of the "night vision" recently @gmarkj

When I just googled the manufacturer, I came up with about 6 articles dating back to 2015.

So not as recent as I first thought?!

[gmarkj]

Yeah it looks like it has been a thing for a while.

The one I heard about was the DS7 (linked here) which scans the road in front for items on the road and can provide an audible warning if it is in the path of the car.

Looks good, and could be useful, but the range is rather limited. Plus it costs a pretty penny!!

[Cleoriff]

That's the one. I think it was shown at the CES this year?

Perhaps the Duke Of Edinburgh should have one fitted!!

[TallTrees]

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@Cleoriff wrote:

That's the one. I think it was shown at the CES this year?

Perhaps the Duke Of Edinburgh should have one fitted!!

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Ooo good one @Cleoriff  

[Cleoriff]

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@TallTrees wrote:

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@Cleoriff wrote:

That's the one. I think it was shown at the CES this year?

Perhaps the Duke Of Edinburgh should have one fitted!!

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Ooo good one @Cleoriff  

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Mind you the DoE said there was low sun in his eyes...so perhaps he needs one for day AND night?

(Not forgetting a car that refuses to start unless he puts his damn seatbelt on?!!

[gmarkj]

There was talk of an in car breathalyser being installed, so you had to pass a breath test before it would switch on. That would be useful as well.