iChange concept car uses iPhone dashboard controls
By Dave Jeyes
The Rinspeed iChange is an electric concept car that was designed with the environment in mind that is set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. However, the iChange feature that’s really raising eyebrows is the tight integration between an iPhone and the car’s dashboard.
In fact, the iPhone replaces many of the core controls of the iChange concept car. Once docked on the dash, a green button appears that allows you to start the car’s engine.
Other controls use the iPhone interface in addition to the ignition. The driver can adjust the headlights and other controls using an iPhone interface.
The Rinspeed iChange also has a host of other green features. The iChange name actually refers to the fact that the car’s body shape changes in true Transformer style.
In general, cars retain the same shape whether they are carrying one passenger or a full family, even though many trips are for solo commuting. The iChange changes shape to be more aerodynamic based on the number of passengers it carries.
The back of the iChange’s teardrop shape becomes more pronounced when carrying passengers. This means that the optimal wind resistance and fuel mileage are attained precisely for the current occupants of the vehicle.
Between the fact that it’s an electric car and the shape-shifting, the iChange is an innovative ecological design concept. The integration of an iPhone in its dash really serves to gain more attention for these other features.
While it’s a very interesting idea to more tightly integrate a car’s controls with a mobile phone, it’s not terribly practical. Besides limiting the market for potential buyers to owners of one phone, there are other practical considerations.
Imagine if you lend your car to a friend for a day. Would you have to also loan them your mobile phone as well? It’s fairly unlikely that anyone who relies so deeply on their mobile would tolerate its absence for very long.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Monday, February 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
under
Read more entries by Dave Jeyes.
Stumble It!
February 23rd, 2009
There is an inventor from Wisconsin who invented an all-electric car in the form of a Ford Ranger that was shown at the KARE 11 fair booth at the 2008 Minnesota State Fair.
It is capable of reaching 100 miles per hour in speed, has a range of 300 miles, charges in 10 minutes and is pollution free with only the pollution that is done to make the electricity to charge it.
The inventor of this invention has, to my understanding, approached Ford Motor Company with his invention. The Ford Motor Company, in my estimation, should latch onto this idea, pronto.
My understanding is there are members of Congress who are trying to shoot down this idea of an electric car.
Where is there any common sense in this country?