Smarter Cars: Incredible Infotainment, Wireless Device Charging, Satellite-Based Road Taxes, and Better EV Batteries

Chevrolet (Detroit) has developed a next-generation infotainment system called MyLink. It utilizes a $50 smartphone app called Bring-Go for navigation. These cars will also be the first to have Siri, Apple's voice-recognition system. At Harman, a potentially distraction-free interface is being developed. Its prototype includes an infotainment display and a built-in pair of gesture-control image-recognition camera-based sensors mounted on the console display surface. In the 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited, smartphone charging while driving is enabled by an in-vehicle wireless charging system using Qi and RF-identification (RFID) technology. Qi standard is based on inductive/wireless-charging technology that involves transmitting energy via a magnetic field. Audi AG's Urban Intelligent Assist project, aims to find technologies that can help reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and reduce stress on drivers.