[ale] Linux on board Dodge Hemi auto

[Bob's ALE Mail]

Dodge's new Super8 Hemi concept car sports four single-board Linux
computers in addition to a 5.7 liter V8 putting out 353 HP.  Details at

	http://www.4adodge.com/autoshow/news/hemi.html

>From the page (about 3/4 of the way down:

The vehicle-internal computing architecture consists
of four Single Board Computers that each run a
certified standard Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on top
of a Linux operation system. The software
architecture for the in-vehicle computers is based on
a 100 percent Java device platform called "deviceTop"
from the Espial Group. 

The Infotronic system is directed by a voice
recognition system or through its liquid crystal display
integrated into the instrument panel. The use of
JavaCard technology allows for personalized access
to the system. Voice commands allow drivers to keep
their eyes on the road while controlling the vehicle's
audio system, climate control, phone and security
systems as well as allow access to the driver's smart
home appliances or home security system. 

Said Buckley: "When you're driving and remember
something that you should have done at home or work,
you can verbally remind yourself and tell your
computer to e-mail that message to your home or
office all without touching a keypad." 

For rear occupants, two LCD touch screens on
articulating arms are mounted to the backrests of the
front seats, enabling a fully Internet-accessible
in-car environment. Among the many features, rear
passengers have access to an "Are we there yet?"
application that gives real-time trip status
information, such as a map display, estimated time of
arrival or distance to the destination. Rear passengers
can also play a custom location-based on-line trivia
game with other vehicle occupants or even with
players in other vehicles. In addition, rear occupants
can retrieve pictures from the family's
Internet-enabled home security camera, for instance,
to check up on a pet left home alone. 

Further emphasizing its grasp of modern technology,
the Dodge Super8 Hemi comes equipped with a Sirius
Satellite Radio. This offers digital quality radio,
ensuring clear reception coast to coast from more
than 100 unique news, sports and entertainment
channels, of which 50 music channels are
commercial-free. Additionally, a media beaming
application enables wireless transfer of digital audio
(MP3) and video (MPEG) files between a home
entertainment system and the car while the car is
parked in the driveway or garage. 

With the Dodge Super8 Hemi Infotronic system,
drivers and passengers can seamlessly access
time-critical information, do convenience shopping,
listen to MP3 music or digital quality radio and
interact with the home environment, while children
play games in the rear seats -- all personalized, all in
real time, all on demand, and regardless of location. 

Bob
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