Future car tech unveiled at CES 2011

The Consumer Electronics Show has just kicked off in Las Vegas. The US event has seen the launches of high profile electronic gadgetry like the Camcorder, Tetris and HDTV over the years. And now carmakers are after a slice of the action, and have made their presence felt at this year’s event. 

Alongside a keynote speech from Audi boss Rupert Stadler and the global debut of the electric Ford Focus, here’s a rundown of the car-related highlights:

OnStar is GM’s integrated infotainment system that’s available in the US. The firm showed off a version of the technology that has 4G mobile connectivity. Among the possible features, when the system becomes available, are a series of cameras mounted around your car which the driver can log-in to from their mobile to check if the car is OK while they’re on holiday. The system also includes connection to Skype with video and live traffic camera footage streamed to the car.

Arriving in the US later this year, Entune is Toyota’s answer to Ford’s SYNC infotainment system that’s been around for the last four years in America, and finally arrives in the UK in the new Focus in 2012.

The system connects to your smartphone, which means that as well as conventional sat-nav, Entune includes live traffic and weather conditions, and the best fuel prices, and also includes Microsoft’s Bing internet search, Pandora internet radio, and allows drivers to book tables in restaurants and buy cinema tickets using different apps. Expect the system to make it to Europe in 2013.

Like Entune, Hyundai has joined the hi-tech infotainment crowd with its own system. Alongside the usual sat-nav and stereo features, Bluelink includes remote car door locking and unlocking, Gracenote database access to allow you to organise your music collection as it is in iTunes, plus a vehicle slowdown feature to aid police if the vehicle is stolen and a new "geofencing" system that sends a text message to the owner if the vehicle strays outside a prescribed area or route. 

Bluelink will feature on the US market Veloster and Sonata, and will arrive in Europe by 2013.

The Pandora app that integrates with the MINI Connected sat-nav screen is now available, showing how downloadable apps are set to become a key part of motoring in the future. MINI has opened up access to third party app developers who can create all manner of user-downloadable features for its cars. Currently, the Pandora internet streaming radio service is restricted to the US. 

Wireless in-car charging has taken a step forward with the announcement that GM has invested million in Powermat. The system will be fitted to the Volt from 2012, and allows electromagnetic, wireless charging of phones and MP3 players that are placed on the mat, located between the front seats.

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