TCS showcases hybrid navigation system in VW Polo

The Porsche 911 concept car that won the 2012 Best of CES award wasn't the only QNX-outfitted vehicle at Mobile World Congress this year. Our friends at TeleCommunication Systems (TCS), who provide hybrid navigation software for the QNX CAR application platform, showcased a VW Polo running the same QNX-powered navigation, maps, and local search capabilities as the Porsche.

Like the Porsche, the Polo featured a retrofitted infotainment system in place of the factory radio — and TCS did a very nice job integrating it into the car.

The Polo was a hit, driving discussions with mobile operators, handset manufacturers, automakers, and automotive tier ones. Seems the connected car is a hot topic just about everywhere you go these days.

Here's the Polo in the TCS booth:



And here's a close-up of the retrofitted infotainment system:


 

HTML5: Bustin' the myths

Did you know you can build HTML5 apps that don't use an Internet connection? Did you know you can run HTML5 apps without a web browser? And did you know HTML5 apps can show snappy performance even on automotive silicon? (As you can well imagine, in-car infotainment systems don't ship with quad-core server-class CPUs.)

If you answered no to any of these questions, you need to stop for a minute and check out this interview with QNX Software Systems' Kerry Johnson. Heck, even if you answered yes to all three questions, you'll probably still appreciate what Kerry has to say — and besides, you'll catch a glimpse of a complete in-car UI coded in HTML5. What could be bad?



While I have you, check out Andy Gryc's Q&A series on HTML5, if you haven't already. You'll find the first two installments here and here.
 

Audi A8 drives home with best connected car award

This just in: Connected World magazine has announced the winners of its first annual Connected Car of the Year awards, and the Audi A8 has won top prize in the ultra-luxury category.

According to Connected World, the awards honor vehicles with technology that strikes the right balance of safety, convenience, and infotainment. The magazine's editorial team decides the winners.

The Audi A8's infotainment system, dubbed the MMI, is based on the QNX Neutrino OS. The MMI offers some extremely cool features, including 3D navigation powered by Google Earth and a touchpad that lets you input destinations names by tracing them with your finger.

Here, for example, is a photo of the navigation display:



And here is a photo of someone using the touchpad, known as MMI Touch:



Both these photos were taken at a QNX Automotive Summit that took place in Stuttgart in 2010.

Connected World also handed out awards to the Ford Focus, Chrysler 300, and Cadillac XTS. These cars won in the small, mid-size, and luxury categories, respectively.
 

Aluminum Radiator For L2s L5 Auto

Electric Cars Aren't Selling

Another "Emperor is naked" moment.  The combined sales of Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, the only currently available plug-in electric vehicles, for the month of February were a whopping 1500.  Meanwhile, the F-series trucks sold 47,000 (31:1 ratio).  Chevrolet Cruze sold about 20,000 (13:1 ratio) .  

And Ford is about to jump in with the Focus Electric, and Mitsubishi also with the i, offering greater choice to the apparently disinterested consumer.  I hope they aren't expecting much volume!

2013 Fusion Hybrid: 47MPG

I am impressed.  In a press release touting their fuel efficient offerings, Ford claims (no EPA sticker yet) that the 2013 Fusion Hybrid will get 47mpg.  They don't say if that is the combined, city, or highway number, but given that it is a hybrid, best case is probably the city number.

If this holds up, Fusion Hybrid beats all other hybrid sedans in production, and even beats the Prius V (44 city). 

We'll have to wait for the MSRP to be announced to decide if the Fusion Hybrid is a good deal, or not.  My personal opinion is that a hybrid needs a 5 year payoff to be attractive. 

Hummer Is Dead, But The Brand Slinks On...

The Hummer vehicle brand is dead.

But, you can still buy lots of Hummer and Humvee branded stuff.  Like a cheap knife/flashlight combo at Amazon. 

I wonder if we'll be seeing Saab branded junk soon, too?