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Any device or system that draws a driver’s attention away from the road is inherently distracting, but some navigation systems are better than others. Now, AT&T Labs is said to be hard at work developing a steering wheel with haptic feedback that may allow more drivers to keep their eyes off of the center console screen. According to MIT’s Technology Review, the system uses 20 small actuators to to create a pattern of vibrations in the wheel. When the wheel buzzes clockwise, the driver is meant to turn to the right, while counterclockwise vibrations suggest turning left. The company’s research indicates that when the system is used with standard audio and visual cues, inattentiveness in younger drivers drops by around 3.1 percent.

Researchers defined “inattentiveness” as time spent looking away from the road in driving simulations. The haptics had no impact on older drivers, but a separate study by Carnegie Mellon indicated drivers over the age of 65 could see their inattentiveness drop by around four percent.

Even with the promising results, it will likely be years before a similar system could be adopted by automakers, if it ever reaches the market at all.

AT&T Labs, Carnegie Mellon investigating steering wheels with haptic feedback for navigation

Hot on the heels of Audi’s announcement to use T-Mobile for its future wireless data needs, Ford has partnered with AT&T to provide connectivity to the 2012 Focus Electric.

Nearly every EV or plug-in hybrid coming to market will offer some combination of embedded wireless data and an accompanying smartphone app, and as we saw at CES with our exclusive hands-on of MyFord Mobile, FoMoCo will be offering a similar solution for its all-electric Focus hatchback.

The partnership Ma Bell and the Blue Oval involves an embedded wireless connection in the EV that allows drivers with the MyFord Mobile app to keep track of charging, set specific times of the day to juice up (late at night when electrons are cheap) and receive a variety of notifications, ranging from battery status to maintenance reminders.

MapQuest has been tapped to provide charging station locations, range alerts, trip planning and vehicle location, and the MyFord Mobile app also includes the ability to remotely lock and unlocks doors, heat and cool the interior and download performance and system data. And if your phone doesn’t have the app, you can use any HTML5-based or WAP 2.0-supported browser to keep tabs on your EV. Hit the jump for the full details and check out our write-up on MyFord Mobile.

Continue reading Ford Focus Electric gets connected by AT&T

Ford Focus Electric gets connected by AT&T

Audi has announced that T-Mobile will supply wireless data for its growing line of net-connected vehicles, allowing drivers to access a range of Audi Connect services on the go. That’s the good news. And there’s a bit more.

The service will debut on the 2012 Audi A7 (with integration for the 2012 A8, A6, Q7 and Q5 Hybrid coming later) and allow drivers to access Google Local Search and Sirius Traffic data, which combined with voice-controlled Google Earth integration will provide drivers with topographical and satellite imagery – the first of its kind in the industry.

Other services include real-time news, weather data and fuel prices, and if your passengers have a WiFi-capable device, Audi Connect will turn the vehicle into a secure, rolling hotspot. All of this will be accessed directly through Audi’s MMI control system, with a T-Mobile sim card provided by the dealer, plugged into the dash and owners given a six-month trial period for the service. After that, you’ll have to sign up for a monthly plan, which Audi and T-Mobile have yet to announce pricing for. So… all good stuff. Now for the bad news.

Markus Putze, VW/Audi’s Senior Engineer on the program, told Autoblog from the CTIA Wireless show that Audi’s much-hyped implementation of 4G LTE connectivity won’t be coming anytime soon. “There are no automotive grade [LTE] modules available at this time,” says Putze, and because of that, integration of high-speed wireless broadband into Audi’s lineup isn’t due to arrive until 2015. At the earliest.

And before the naysayers jump in and say T-Mobile already offers 4G, we’ll stop you right there. According to the definition provided by the International Telecommunication Union, T-Mobile’s HSPA+ system doesn’t provide the speeds necessary to be defined as 4G – that’s at least 100 Mbps down and T-Mobile’s “4G” service only clocks in at 12 Mbps.

However, the agreement between Audi and T-Mobile is set for a minimum of eight years – plenty of time for the carrier to roll out its own real 4G LTE network – and if the deal with AT&T goes through (at least nine months to a year away), that could escalate the development of the service.

Continue reading T-Mobile tapped for Audi Connect service, LTE not coming until 2015

T-Mobile tapped for Audi Connect service, LTE not coming until 2015

AT&T launched the “It Can Wait” campaign earlier in the spring of 2010. The idea behind the movement is to create more awareness about the dangers of texting and driving. In order to create more visual impact, AT&T has commissioned a documentary called The Last Text, and it focuses on a few young lives that have been impacted or even cut short due to distracted driving caused by a text message.

The video may play a bit heavily with the emotional subject matter, but it also helps drive home a very important message – Many lives can be ruined in the blink of an eye – all because you had to read or send that text message. Put your phone down for a minute then hop the jump to watch The Last Text.

[Source: AT&T via Engadget]

Continue reading Video: AT&T tugs at heart strings with distracted driving documentary

Video: AT&T tugs at heart strings with distracted driving documentary

A year after entering bankruptcy protection, the executive shuffling is still ongoing down at General Motors. The latest moves come in the wake of the creation of GM’s new venture capital unit which will be headed up by Jon Laukner, whose previous job was vice president in charge of product planning and program management.

Product planning responsibility will now fall to Steve Carlisle, formerly VP of U.S. sales. One of the main goals of the changes made by CEO Ed Whitacre since taking over has been flattening the organization and removing layers of management. To that end, Carlisle will now be a direct report to Whitacre, who will henceforth have the final say in future product planning at GM. Previously, Laukner reported to vice chairman Tom Stephens, who retains control over all product development activities.

Many executives we’ve spoken to at GM in recent months say that while more people are increasingly reporting to Whitacre, the ex AT&T man is not micromanaging. Instead, they argue, Whitacre is trying to put the right people into place and then relying on them to do the job. Still, the move to put someone with no previous auto industry experience in charge of product planning at GM has some pundits deeply concerned.

Is this a good move or a bad one? Check out the full slate of executive changes in the links below, then have your say in ‘Comments’

[Sources: AutoWeek, Inside Line Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

Latest GM management shuffle puts Whitacre in charge of product planning

Wednesday was a busy day for General Motors CEO Ed Whitacre by anyone’s definition. He started the day with a trip to The General’s Fairfax plant in Kansas to tell the world that GM was paying off the remaining $5.8 billion in government loans five years ahead of schedule and to announce a $257 million investment for a pair of plants. After the announcement came a trip to Washington to meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Michigan delegation from Congress.

There was no way for Whitacre to rock a Chevy Malibu from Kansas to Washington in a couple hours, so Big Ed instead chartered a flight to our nation’s capitol. You may remember what happened the last time an automaker CEO flew into Washington. It wasn’t pretty. So instead of using a private jet on company funds, The Detroit News reports that Whitacre busted out the check book and paid for the flight to Washington on his own dime. Given the fact that Big Ed received a $158 million retirement package from AT&T (and part-time use of a private plane), we’re guessing the trip isn’t going to break the bank.

We’re a long way away from knowing whether Whitacre is as good an automotive CEO as he was a telecommunications chief executive, but the early returns show that the burly Texan at least pays attention to history.

[Source: The Detroit News Image: Steve Fecht/General Motors]

GM CEO Whitacre paid for own charter flight to D.C.

Occasional Autoblog contributor and Associate Editor at Engadget, Tim Stevens, is our go-to guy when it comes to navigating the intersection of technology and automobiles. So it’s fitting that Stevens has published a comprehensive shoot-out pitting six iPhone navigation systems against each other to see which app reigns supreme in the race from point A to B.

The review covers everything from Mapquest’s free GPS app to the far pricier Navigon MobileNavigator, along with progs that span the price spectrum from CoPilot, TomTom and AT&T. There’s a great breakdown of available features and functionality, along with initial and reoccurring costs, but in the end, only one gets the Engadget tip of the hat. Check it out.

Engadget takes six iPhone navigation systems for a spin

First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty brings the biggest tools

The F-Series Super Duty is ready for battle and Ford’s all-new heavy hitter is packing more than just class leading power and towing.

Report: Honda CR-Z was almost killed twice, U.S. dealers didn’t want it

A hybrid hatchback with a six-speed manual? Honda dealers have heard that story before and were less than thrilled when the automaker announced plans to bring the CR-Z to the States.

Toyota hits back at David Gilbert’s “no fault code” demonstration

The ABC News report that set the public and lawmakers ablaze has been called into question and Toyota finally responses with its own in-depth analysis.

Also of interest:

• GM scouring the globe for next Corvette design, first time looking beyond U.S.
• Super Coupe: Brabus E V12 now in two-door form
• 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon bound for New York Auto Show
• GM CEO Whitacre still flies on AT&T jets equipped with golden parachutes
• Stirling Moss falls down elevator shaft, breaks bones but OK

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