Audi plans to be the first automaker to offer Google Earth enabled navigation for the U.S. market when it begins selling the 2011 A8 next year.
As LeftLane reported back in 2006, VW had promised to have something in the works to bring Google Earth generated 3D mapping in the near future. Now, some three years later VW has finally delivered via their Audi brand’s flagship sedan.
In order to make the addition of web-based Google Earth possible, Audi will be turning the all-new A8 into a mobile Wi-Fi connection via high-speed cellular connection. This connection will allow the vehicle to download the data and images directly to the vehicle real-time.
Jens Redmer and Weiland Holfielder of Google Germany explained in a blog post the many features of this sytem beyond simply downloading destinations. This system will display 3-D satellite images, topographic details and Wikipedia tags and Panaramio photographs of popular tourist locations.
Unlike DVD or hard-drive based navigation systems, all features and content in the Google Earth navigation system will be capable of being updated online.
Honda too had reported something in the works for the Google Earth technology, but there are no known products desitned for U.S. soil with that technology at this time.
12/17, 7:08 PM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
pretty sexy…nav has become one of those “how did i live without this?” technologies…of course, when the aliens arrive and EMP us, we’re doomed, but until then this’ll do…
12/17, 7:24 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I agree, and that does look awesome!
12/17, 7:58 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Wow!
That’s really impressive!
I gotta get a an Audi A8 because it has Google Earth
Just as soon as I forget that I have Google Earth on my iTouch
DrFill
12/17, 8:22 PM
posted by:
sterfry71
Aptera is showing Google Earth navigation in their upcoming vehicle. I believe Tesla Motors wants to include it in the Model S as well. I’m interested to see how these manufacturers handle maps/routing when the car is out in BFE with no cellular service.
12/17, 8:36 PM
posted by:
carstuff
Possible solution is to download all relevant data when approaching a cell hole.
12/17, 8:43 PM
posted by:
The Stig
Here’s the original post, with better pictures:
http://www.tuzurl.com/mmaQjYm
12/17, 9:01 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
I thought I saw the new BMW 5-Series with this feature too.
12/17, 9:03 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
I hope it has the feature to drop the liittle guy to get the street view. That way I know not to park my A8 their and find it on it cinder blocks when I come back.
12/17, 9:16 PM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, LLNer’s.
Im out of here for 2 weeks and can’t predict when I will have internet access during that.
Don’t fret. I’ll be back to beat you all up next year!
12/17, 10:03 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Seasons Beatings!
And you ain’t gittin’ s#&@ for X-mas!
DrFill
12/17, 10:59 PM
posted by:
cocksterS
I’m going to have to express some trepidation here…. I love google earth, and from the pics, the display looks beautiful. But maybe all this detail is better suited for the home PC. There is something to be said for the simplicity of many of the bird’s eye systems that are on most cars today. When one is driving, it seems like reducing visual clutter is the safer–if not the prettier–way to go.
12/17, 11:14 PM
posted by:
reedfast
the only problem with this, for me at least, is that the only time i’m ever really lost and would need to use this is when i’m out in the mountains and this doesn’t work.
12/17, 11:55 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Take me with you Smegley… I’d trade two weeks worth of internet for not having to go the wife’s yammering sister’s house for Christmas dinner in a heartbeat.
12/18, 11:35 AM
posted by:
BAD124
Cool idea, and surely useful. But does this new level of connection un-nerve anyone else? If our cars are constantly able to be monitored for speed and location how long until this is used to provide a new means of revenue generation? I imagine this info would prove quite handy in a prosecutors case for speeding. That is unless we just get tickets automatically mailed to us.
12/18, 2:13 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Typical Audi strategy of trying to distract people with blinding technology, in the hope that they won’t notice that A8 is built on the wrong platform for a driver’s car.