Radar Detectors Evolve Into GPS
Back in August, right here on TechNudge Live, I talked about GPS units adding in the features of our radar detectors. I figured if there was only one power outlet in the car, why not combine things? So far, the GPS manufacturers have not added in any radar detection features to their units.
However, a good idea does eventually get used. I wasn't thinking about the other end of the equation, but apparently the folks who make the Escort detector were. Apparently it was debuted at CES, although I saw it when I opened this month's Car & driver magazine.
Their latest creation is the Passport 9500i. This $450 gizmo takes their top radar detector and adds in GPS functionality. No, it won't get you to the hotel on vacation, in fact on the Escort site they're selling a Garmin StreetPilot to accomplish that task. The 9500i seeks to add in some smart functionality to an otherwise dumb detector. The idea is that for routes driven every day, by knowing the location, it can be programmed to ignore the false alarms. I already know the location of every automatic door on the way to work, but now the detector can too, and filter them out. Users can also program in nonradar based traps, like road sensors or traffic cameras so that they are reminded of them when driving along. Also, via the GPS network, the detector calculates your speed so it knows not to go crazy beeping when you're crawling in traffic and it detects a radar signal.
While this all sounds impressive, there is even more to this. The radar detector can then interface to a computer via a USB port. This then opens up the possibility of sharing the info on speed traps with other users. In other words, social networking is finding its way to the radar detector. Suddenly that dumb beeping box suction cupped to the windshield is significantly smarter.
While the steep price tag will keep the masses away, apparently Cobra is coming out with a similar product. If this catches on, it could find its way into some more affordable detectors. In the meantime, this is a great example of electronics convergence.
--Jonas
Technorati Tags: radar detector, radar detector gps, passport 9500i, smart radar detector, electronics convergence
However, a good idea does eventually get used. I wasn't thinking about the other end of the equation, but apparently the folks who make the Escort detector were. Apparently it was debuted at CES, although I saw it when I opened this month's Car & driver magazine.
Their latest creation is the Passport 9500i. This $450 gizmo takes their top radar detector and adds in GPS functionality. No, it won't get you to the hotel on vacation, in fact on the Escort site they're selling a Garmin StreetPilot to accomplish that task. The 9500i seeks to add in some smart functionality to an otherwise dumb detector. The idea is that for routes driven every day, by knowing the location, it can be programmed to ignore the false alarms. I already know the location of every automatic door on the way to work, but now the detector can too, and filter them out. Users can also program in nonradar based traps, like road sensors or traffic cameras so that they are reminded of them when driving along. Also, via the GPS network, the detector calculates your speed so it knows not to go crazy beeping when you're crawling in traffic and it detects a radar signal.While this all sounds impressive, there is even more to this. The radar detector can then interface to a computer via a USB port. This then opens up the possibility of sharing the info on speed traps with other users. In other words, social networking is finding its way to the radar detector. Suddenly that dumb beeping box suction cupped to the windshield is significantly smarter.
While the steep price tag will keep the masses away, apparently Cobra is coming out with a similar product. If this catches on, it could find its way into some more affordable detectors. In the meantime, this is a great example of electronics convergence.
--Jonas
Technorati Tags: radar detector, radar detector gps, passport 9500i, smart radar detector, electronics convergence
posted by digitaldoc at 10:33 PM
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