In-car Computer Reinvents The Wheels

The Age

Wednesday October 29, 2008

RICHARD BLACKBURN

EVER wanted a fully integrated in-car computer, complete with email, Windows Vista operating system and a 120GB hard drive? A US company claims it has the answer.

Local distributor Westwell will sell the new Azentek PC unit in Australia from December, priced from about $5000.

The computer will allow users to download files from their home or work PC to their car via a wireless connection and will read emails using voice-recognition technology. It also has an in-built satellite navigation program.

Users will be able to reply to incoming emails as they drive by recording a message on to a voice data file (in wav format) and attaching the file to a reply email.

Azentek president Johnny Cooper claims the PC will be no more distracting than adjusting the air-conditioning or car radio, and safer than text-messaging or answering emails on a personal organiser.

"There are a lot of safety issues out there already with phones and BlackBerries. This PC is properly integrated into the car so you can keep both hands on the steering wheel and your eyes on the road," he says.

"When you see people driving along with their knee on the steering wheel and they've got the BlackBerry going and they're trying to type an email - these are things that are really unsafe in a vehicle," he says.

Aside from the business applications, Mr Cooper says the PC-based system has plenty of entertainment options. The system can store 10 DVDs and download songs from internet radio stations.

It will also be able to diagnose vehicle problems and email details to a service centre, which can advise the driver, order parts and take a booking for repair work.

Executives from local car companies have looked at the system, but are unlikely to adopt the technology in the short term. -- RICHARD BLACKBURN

© 2008 The Age

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