Introducing the V-Pod?

Alex Ricciuti :: 26 April 2006 :: Filed under Volkswagen

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VW develops in-car system based on Apple computer

In the new film Scary Movie 4, a large device from outer space, that bears more than a slight resemblance to an iPod, has landed on Earth. The TriPod, as it is called, scrolls down a menu of music categories to 80s Hits and Karma Chameleon begins to play. But the device quickly moves onto the next item on the menu, Destroy Humanity, which it subsequently begins to do. Now, that is impressive. What VW has come up with is a little less ambitious and perhaps more practical for regular Earthlings. But that may turn out to be a good thing…

Automakers love to present cars of the future as ambitious concept cars that make their way to the big auto shows and then somehow disappear into thin air never to be heard from again. But here is a more modest car which might actually make it to a showroom. Or it may not. With the Gypsy system, as it is called, you can plug in your iPod, send e-mails and one that can also warn you if you’ve left your iron on at home. Now, that’s not exactly Fahrvergnügen but it beats having your house burn down.

The new on-board computer is based on the Apple Mac Mini and the system was developed by Volkswagen engineers at VW’s Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) in Palo Alto, California. Gypsy can integrate mobile devices including mp3 players such as an iPod and mobile phones.

Drivers can also download additional functionality such as software that can find the closest gas station with the lowest prices. The computer is operated by a touch-screen interface in a 9 inch (22,5 cm) panel and contains a port for docking an iPod nano. The full-size iPod can be connected by cable. It also contains e-mail functions with a set of preset phrases such as “I’ll call you later” that allows sending e-mail messages while driving. That’s one you can use but how about a message that says,"if I crash and die it’s your fault."

Don’t look for the car at your local VW dealership yet. It’s still in concept stage which means by the time it gets to a real vehicle it will just be a fancy CD changer.

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