eCars … a mixed bag

A recent review of some new model cars caught my attention.  The article was describing the various digital devices now found in most every new car.  One new model from Ford, gushed the writer, will have more than 70 separate computers and generate some 25 gigabytes of data per hour.  Seems that most every function of the operation of new cars requires some sort of computer.

After reading the article my mind wondered back several years to 2007 and a classic exchange between Bill Gates of Microsoft and executives from General Motors.  Mr. Gates had just made a presentation at a major computer trade show where he mocked car manufacturers for not innovating faster, noting that if the auto industry could mimic the rapid improvements being made in the computer industry, new cars would be able to go 100 miles on a gallon of gas and a new car would cost about $250 each.

This jab prompted GM to issue a rebuttal which has become a classic. In part the response noted that if new cars did indeed follow Mr. Gate’s lead they would also for no reason whatsoever crash twice a day. The press release went on to note that every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car. And of course you'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

Well, of course, most of these predictions have not happened. Nevertheless, with the proliferation of so much digital technology in today’s cars, it does radically change the driving experience.  In some cases it has vastly improved safety.  Rather than fiddling with a paper map and looking for illegible street signs our attention can stay on the road and our GPS can get us to our destination, albeit often with some “recalculations.”

I continue to have some reservations about some computer assisted improvements.  Some functions, such as the heater / air conditioner and the sound system (we used to call it a radio), are getting so complex that the driver’s attention can easily be diverted.   Some new cars rely on a single touch screen on the dashboard to handle some very mundane functions that, in my opinion, are better done with the old technology of a simple on and off switch rather than a touch screen menu item. The good news is that with the improvements in voice recognition most all of these functions will be accomplished by just talking to your car. “Open the pod bay doors, Hal.”

eCars … a mixed bag

A recent review of some new model cars caught my attention.  The article was describing the various digital devices now found in most every new car.  One new model from Ford, gushed the writer, will have more than 70 separate computers and generate some 25 gigabytes of data per hour.  Seems that most every function of the operation of new cars requires some sort of computer.

After reading the article my mind wondered back several years to 2007 and a classic exchange between Bill Gates of Microsoft and executives from General Motors.  Mr. Gates had just made a presentation at a major computer trade show where he mocked car manufacturers for not innovating faster, noting that if the auto industry could mimic the rapid improvements being made in the computer industry, new cars would be able to go 100 miles on a gallon of gas and a new car would cost about $250 each.

This jab prompted GM to issue a rebuttal which has become a classic. In part the response noted that if new cars did indeed follow Mr. Gate’s lead they would also for no reason whatsoever crash twice a day. The press release went on to note that every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a new car. And of course you'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.

Well, of course, most of these predictions have not happened. Nevertheless, with the proliferation of so much digital technology in today’s cars, it does radically change the driving experience.  In some cases it has vastly improved safety.  Rather than fiddling with a paper map and looking for illegible street signs our attention can stay on the road and our GPS can get us to our destination, albeit often with some “recalculations.”

I continue to have some reservations about some computer assisted improvements.  Some functions, such as the heater / air conditioner and the sound system (we used to call it a radio), are getting so complex that the driver’s attention can easily be diverted.   Some new cars rely on a single touch screen on the dashboard to handle some very mundane functions that, in my opinion, are better done with the old technology of a simple on and off switch rather than a touch screen menu item. The good news is that with the improvements in voice recognition most all of these functions will be accomplished by just talking to your car. “Open the pod bay doors, Hal.”

Mirror, Mirror On the Car

One of the first popular high tech wireless services available to drivers is OnStar. Using a combination of cellular and GPS technologies, OnStar has been around since 1995 beginning as a partnership between General Motors and Hughes Electronics. I am sure you have seen or heard one of the commercials showing an accident victim being soothed by an OnStar operator or a person faced with keys locked inside a running car gaining entry with the aid of a friendly OnStar representative. OnStar has garnered a solid reputation for providing superior customer service and ease of use. Up until now, since the system was a factory installed option and was integrated into the systems of the car, it has only been available for those with cars and trucks manufactured by General Motors. Beginning this year the service is being expanded as an after market option for most any car regardless of make and model.

Called OnStar FMV (OnStar For My Vehicle), this expanded product packs all the electronics into the body of a rear view mirror. This special mirror replaces the existing mirror in your car and is connected with a few small wires to your car’s innards. Once installed the customer has the choice of two levels of service as well as a mobile phone service, albeit expensive, in your car.

Once you check to make sure your car is compatible with the system by going to www.onstarfmv.com, you will need to purchase the OnStar Mirror with the initial price of $299.00. Installation charges will vary.

Two service plans are then available. The first, called “Safe & Sound,” has a monthly fee of $18.99 and provides assistance if you are in an accident or your car becomes disabled. The second plan, called “Direction & Connection,” provides added services like navigation assistance, dinner reservations, stolen car recovery assistance and more. It is pricier at almost $30.00 per month. You can also get telephone directory assistance and place calls from your car but the cost per minute is very expensive.

The one thing that sets all OnStar services apart is the customer assistance. There are real live human beings at the call center. While I have not used it myself, those who do use it report exceptional support and service. This might well be an example of getting what you are paying for since the first level of service will cost almost $500 even if you never push that OnStar button.

You will need to decide if you think it is worth it. It is a service that works, and works well. If peace of mind and worry free driving is a high priority for you, OnStar FMV is worth a look.

Mirror, Mirror On the Car

One of the first popular high tech wireless services available to drivers is OnStar. Using a combination of cellular and GPS technologies, OnStar has been around since 1995 beginning as a partnership between General Motors and Hughes Electronics. I am sure you have seen or heard one of the commercials showing an accident victim being soothed by an OnStar operator or a person faced with keys locked inside a running car gaining entry with the aid of a friendly OnStar representative. OnStar has garnered a solid reputation for providing superior customer service and ease of use. Up until now, since the system was a factory installed option and was integrated into the systems of the car, it has only been available for those with cars and trucks manufactured by General Motors. Beginning this year the service is being expanded as an after market option for most any car regardless of make and model.

Called OnStar FMV (OnStar For My Vehicle), this expanded product packs all the electronics into the body of a rear view mirror. This special mirror replaces the existing mirror in your car and is connected with a few small wires to your car’s innards. Once installed the customer has the choice of two levels of service as well as a mobile phone service, albeit expensive, in your car.

Once you check to make sure your car is compatible with the system by going to www.onstarfmv.com, you will need to purchase the OnStar Mirror with the initial price of $299.00. Installation charges will vary.

Two service plans are then available. The first, called “Safe & Sound,” has a monthly fee of $18.99 and provides assistance if you are in an accident or your car becomes disabled. The second plan, called “Direction & Connection,” provides added services like navigation assistance, dinner reservations, stolen car recovery assistance and more. It is pricier at almost $30.00 per month. You can also get telephone directory assistance and place calls from your car but the cost per minute is very expensive.

The one thing that sets all OnStar services apart is the customer assistance. There are real live human beings at the call center. While I have not used it myself, those who do use it report exceptional support and service. This might well be an example of getting what you are paying for since the first level of service will cost almost $500 even if you never push that OnStar button.

You will need to decide if you think it is worth it. It is a service that works, and works well. If peace of mind and worry free driving is a high priority for you, OnStar FMV is worth a look.