WE’VE all become used to navigation systems in cars, and appreciated the emancipation they have given to those in the passenger seat. Everyone in a car excluding the driver is now free to engage in work, rest, or play – rather than practicing their cartography. Soon this freedom will be making its way onto the driver’s side. The successful San Francisco test runs of the Google Self Driving Car have been followed by beautiful concepts like the Mercedes F 015 – a car that could actually make you want to give up driving. This advance into self-driving automobiles will transform car journeys into interactive experiences of learning, gaming, and socialising. However there are already options available to drivers and the driven to get the most out of their car journeys.
The Tech
Self-driving cars of the future will be built with interactivity between passengers, the technology they own, and the car itself at the forefront. However there are apps and peripherals that can supplement this interactivity today. Apple’s CarPlay, and Google’s Android Auto are apps which connect cars to mobile devices, and enable voice control of both. Making everything from changing radio station, to answering texts hands free. Third party touch control HUD displays are also available to increase the visual options of this interaction. However the major drawback to possibilities available in car is due to the lack of reliable internet connectivity while on the move. This barrier can be broken with products like Autonet, which turn cars into mobile Wi-Fi hotspots – capable of supporting 20 devices with reliable high speed wireless access.
Play On The Go
Previously long distance journeys may have been hampered by lots of data drop out zones, with loud choruses of “tuts” and complaints about getting no signal. The mobile Wi-Fi hotspot now allows passengers to replicate the satisfaction lots of commuters are getting on trains and underground with unlimited bandwidth access.
Load up the app store, open up your browser bookmarks or simply log in to your favourite gaming portal. With this new advancement in tech, long journeys needn’t rely on the old I Spy games. The possibilities are endless. Transitions from social media to an online casino for the adult or simple paint apps for the youngsters now silences the “are we there yet?” question. Mr Smith Casino is just one of many optimized for mobile gaming sites available to quickly load up and be deep in the action, taking your bored gaze away from traffic jams and into exciting new realms, all thank to a stable Wi-Fi connection.
