It's Friday and I didn't want to blog people down with a serious entry about the depressing automotive industry challenges or sales trends. Today I decided to blog about something lighter, but something that we can all think about—how can we make the car even better? The OEMs are doing such cool stuff already, as seen by features like the Ford SYNC® and the recently announced KIA UVO voice controlled system (to name just two), but what would make the car perfect for me?
Now, I’m not a techie. And frankly, I have no idea how my car works. I'm a marketing guy. But, I pay attention. I see all the neat new technology that my sons ask for, that I refuse to get them. And what I have learned most recently is, no matter what you want to do, there seems to be an "app" for that.
Take the automatic car starter. Today, they require you to push a button on a key fob aimed at the car. That's too much work. My colleague, Cenk Hepaktan, discussed new features that could easily be available with your smart phone in his blog last fall. I'd like an app that would allow me to set a timer to start the car and warm the seats, too. Then I could walk out my door and have my car running with absolutely no effort on my part. It seems simple like a marriage made in heaven.
Today, many cars come equipped with a GPS. A great advancement, but I know where I'm going when I drive. I want a system that tells the guy in the nearby car how to drive instead. Remember the old Mr. Microphone that let you project through your car radio? Same idea—if someone is tailgating you, your car could automatically broadcast into that car’s radio and scream whatever epithet is pre-programmed for that offense.
How about a car with a built-in memory? Computers have memories. Computers are in cars. Therefore, cars should have memories. I want to get in my car and simply say, "Work," and my car should take me to my destination. Actually, I'm pretty sure my car can already do this, since there are days that I drive to work where I would swear the car drove itself. I’ve also seen some pretty interesting ways that programmers are using their smart phones to actually DRIVE their cars, using telematics and smart phones, as can be seen in this humorous video.
(http://www.youtube.com/)
However, I would prefer to not sit on or in the car. I would rather stay home and have the car drive and pick up my kids from their friends' houses. So I guess, those really far-fetched futuristic George Jetson ideas may be showing up at the next North American International Auto Show.
So have you thought about your perfect car? Are you already driving it? What features would you love to see at the next auto show? How can the OEMs create your perfect car?
Posted by Jeffrey Stone, Sr. Marketing Specialist, Polk (02.05.10)
Now, I’m not a techie. And frankly, I have no idea how my car works. I'm a marketing guy. But, I pay attention. I see all the neat new technology that my sons ask for, that I refuse to get them. And what I have learned most recently is, no matter what you want to do, there seems to be an "app" for that.
Take the automatic car starter. Today, they require you to push a button on a key fob aimed at the car. That's too much work. My colleague, Cenk Hepaktan, discussed new features that could easily be available with your smart phone in his blog last fall. I'd like an app that would allow me to set a timer to start the car and warm the seats, too. Then I could walk out my door and have my car running with absolutely no effort on my part. It seems simple like a marriage made in heaven.
Today, many cars come equipped with a GPS. A great advancement, but I know where I'm going when I drive. I want a system that tells the guy in the nearby car how to drive instead. Remember the old Mr. Microphone that let you project through your car radio? Same idea—if someone is tailgating you, your car could automatically broadcast into that car’s radio and scream whatever epithet is pre-programmed for that offense.
How about a car with a built-in memory? Computers have memories. Computers are in cars. Therefore, cars should have memories. I want to get in my car and simply say, "Work," and my car should take me to my destination. Actually, I'm pretty sure my car can already do this, since there are days that I drive to work where I would swear the car drove itself. I’ve also seen some pretty interesting ways that programmers are using their smart phones to actually DRIVE their cars, using telematics and smart phones, as can be seen in this humorous video.
(http://www.youtube.com/)
However, I would prefer to not sit on or in the car. I would rather stay home and have the car drive and pick up my kids from their friends' houses. So I guess, those really far-fetched futuristic George Jetson ideas may be showing up at the next North American International Auto Show.
So have you thought about your perfect car? Are you already driving it? What features would you love to see at the next auto show? How can the OEMs create your perfect car?
Posted by Jeffrey Stone, Sr. Marketing Specialist, Polk (02.05.10)
Powered by Compendium Blogware
Comments for The Perfect Car