A car so clever it’ll call an ambulance if it’s involved in a crash? That’s what Qualcomm is cooking up, building relationships with motor manufacturers to turn them into 3G hotspots, as well as self-aware lifesaving machines.
Qualcomm’s tied up with Audi to build its 3G technology into the Mobile Media Interface inside the new Audi A8. The system already packs in satnav and media playback, now Qualcomm will turn it into a Wi-Fi hotspot, letting passengers hook up their portable kit to the web, piggybacking the car’s 3G connection.
But that’s not all Qualcomm wants to do. It’s behind a new eCall initiative to fit cars with wireless tech and impact sensors, letting the motor alert the emergency services in the event of a fender bender.
Speaking at Qualcomm’s Mobile World Congress press conference, Andrew Gillbert Executive Vice President and President of QIS and Qualcomm Europe said “The in-car connectivity is taking the 3G module and embedding it into a car. One of the things we’ve been supportive of is the e-call initiative. If you have an accident, the car automatically alerts a first responder.”
Qualcomm says the eCall technology should work its way into Europe this year. Qualcomm is offering the technology royalty free to anyone who wants to use it too.
Out 2010 | £TBC | Qualcomm
