Volkswagen's Gypsy Project

[ASurroca]

c|net news.com
22 Mar 2006

Some of you might have noticed that Volkswagen has been increasingly interested in bringing the tech we're used to at home to the automobile. First, there was the news that they were working with Google (e.g. Google Earth) to develop their next-gen in-car navigation system. Then, the Eos sporting Microsoft's Origami wares. Now, c|net has a video of another related project, called Gypsy.

As the demonstration shows, the control console normally used for such mundane tasks as changing radio stations or using navigation, can now do a host of computer-like functions. The dashboard includes an iPod dock (which works like and resembles the new Passat's key dock), complete with audio interface. It also syncs with and uses PDAs to send mail (a Treo was used in the video).

Also setting this system apart from your run of the mill console is the fact that it's basically capable of multitasking. For example, the demonstrator loaded the iPod, started playing music, then moved to another menu to complete another task, with the music menu left in the background but still active. The system also includes "widgets", which (vaguely like Dashboard or Konfabulator widgets) are plug-ins made by third parties to provide additional functionality.

Personally, I'd be happy just to get gadget-oriented features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a USB port without having to pay top dollar (all are relatively cheap to implement yourself).