The Fireworks Locator System concept represents the ultimate gadget that will help you track your vehicle, and can be activated by a button on the car key, that when pressed will produce a multi-colored holographic explosion of fireworks over your car to help you find it in case you forgot where you parked.
The effectiveness of this gadget is in question as there is an expected abundance of fireworks explosion as the device become popular. This, however, would pose more problems not only because it may be a distraction to other motorists, but also because of the difficulty of distinguishing your fireworks from those of the others.
Navigon, the leading innovator in the navigation market, released today its latest products: the 5100 max and 2090S, two new GPS systems to help you arrive faster where you’re heading. Both of these systems are delivered with a FreshMaps package , which means that you will be able to make eight updates over a two year period. The 5100 max features a 4.3-inch widescreen, has real-time Traffic updates for life, Reality View Pro, a system that displays 3D views, Bluetooth Hands-free, advanced text-to-speech guidance than announces the directions and street names and DirectHelpSM system which provides directions to nearby emergency service providers including hospitals, pharmacies and road-side help. The smaller 2090S comes with the same features but includes a 3.5-inch display. The cost is between $199.99 and $299.99 for the systems.
Usually at SEMA Show we see plenty of customized cars but this year we will see also the Nextar Q4-MD, a new GPS fitted with MSN Direct support, and a 4.3-inch touchscreen display. For those who don’t know, the MSN Direct is an online service that delivers important data to your device such as traffic conditions, fuel prices or weather data.
The new device will feature also a 2d or 3d map viewing, an SD Card slot for additional memory, will be capable to play Mp3s, will have USB connectivity and a receargable Li-Ion battery. For those interested the device will be available from 2009 and priced at $329.99.
Press release after the jump.
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Since most of us don’t have a muppet to take care of our speeding tickets, this little gadget may be useful for defeating speeding cameras. This RF license plate cover features motorized panels which can cover your license plates. Now with the push of a key fob button you can drive as fast as you want. So far we’ve only seen it for international style long plates, but for those who are interested it can be found here.
P.S. When the cops catch you, and they will, you didn’t get the idea from us.
Customs Border Patrol agents manning the crossing at San Ysidro in California, probably one of the busiest land border checkpoints in the world, have most of their work cut out for them. A drive-through x-ray machine, called the “Z Portal”, was unveiled there last week. Looking like a huge carwash, the machine will help uncover contraband, as well as stowaways being smuggled into the U.S.
Manual searches are time-consuming, even with the help of dogs to do the job. The Z Portal at the US – Mexican border in San Ysidro does it fast and thorough with the use of Z backscatter x-ray imaging developed by American Science and Engineering, Inc (AS&E). The technology can even detect plastic weapons and explosives by providing multiple views of photo-like x-ray images.
Border patrol agents have apparently taken a liking to the new technology as they claim it has already helped them seize a total of 3,000 pounds of drugs since its introduction. With safety issues arising from the use of the device, the driver and passengers can opt to have an agent drive their vehicle through the Z Portal for scanning. Furthermore, radiation emitted by the device is just a tiny fraction of what medical-grade x-rays actually produce – around 2,000 times less.
Not since Calvin relieving himself on your least favorite car brand has been so easy for a driver to show his/her feelings. "The Hand" remote controller window sign is a funny and useful gadget that signs how you feel towards the other drivers. For $40, this electroluminescent gesturing hand will allow to focus your attention completely on the road.
Just make sure you always have some expression always on. To correctly fit all the different gestures, the blank hand has six fingers.
Now that car keys have going electric (like having proximity sensors) have you ever wondered what else it may be able to do? How about a credit card?
BMW announced that it is working on what it calls a "multi-functional" key. Developed in cooperation with NXP Semiconductors, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, the new key could be used by drivers in order to pay general shopping, paying at the gas station, public transport, parking and road tolls, replacing the need for cash or additional cards.
In the search for clean, renewable and cheap ways to power automobiles, is this what we’ll have to deal with?! Direct from China, Zhejiang 001’s mini car with solar top. The car can charge using only solar power in 30 hours and is capable of a 93 mile range. It is true that it can only transform 14 to 17% of the sun light but this is the normal percentage.
The price is a about $5,560. It’s good that it’s cheap, because if it were available here, you may need to buy two just to make it through the day.
Say good-bye to in-car conversation. 2009 will be the first year when more than half of the vehicles manufactured in America will be offered with support for iPod. So now on your trip to the local store, you will likely packing enough music for days. In 2008, 39 percent of new cars offered iPod support, but that number will jump to 58 percent next year.
According to Phil Magney, vice president of automotive research for iSuppli, the future sales of the vehicles will be seriously influenced by in-vehicle technologies. For example, due to the fact that Bluetooth technology is integrated in every phone, more than 82% of the 2009 vehicles will have it as an option or as a standard.
Azentek is an innovative developer of in-vehicle gadgets. They provide computer systems, GPS and fleet tracking solutions. The company is the creator of the SmartMirror – a rearview mirror with integrated GPS navigation, Bluetooth hands-free cellular connectivity, and backup camera capability.
According to retailers and dealers, customers have shown warm acceptance to this cool gadget because of its great features. People like the SmartMirror because it does not require alteration of the factory dashboard layout for installation. Since its introduction in August of this year, sales have been brisk and the demand for the device has grown.
SmartMirror comes in a simple package. The built-in GPS is a Samsung Sirf III with its touch screeen occupying about 4 inches of the right side of the mirror area. Onboard memory is 64MB with 2GB SD card for maps, pictures and e-books. Speakers are built-in and it features text-to-speech capability, 2D & 3D map images, plus Lane Assist. The GPS screen also doubles as a reverse camera display. The device incorporates Bluetooth technology which allows mobile phone hands-free interface and the ability to show incoming caller ID and call history onscreen.
SmartMirror may be a bit on the high end at a retail price of $800 but Azentek seems to have hit the sweet spot for in-car gadgets. As Pete Muller, Azentek’s VP of Sales & Marketing relates "The initial sales have far exceeded any of our expectations. We’ve had to ramp-up production at our factory just to meet the demand and consumers are currently on waiting lists just to get a hold of a SmartMirror."
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