Earlier this month at 2010 CES, Audi and graphics chip maker NVIDIA announced the integration of NVDIA's graphical processor units (GPUs) into all Audi models with its 3rd-generation multi-media interface (MMI), including the 2011 A8.
This new MMI will also include '"MMI touch," which recognizes fingertip handwriting for entering letters and numbers for navigation destinations. The pad is backlit, and the navi entry function can be changed to a pointer for map functions or to scroll lists in the MMI, as well as a number pad for the radio.
However, Audi representatives in the video claim that the finger writing entry improves driving safety by allowing the driver to remain focused on the road. It's implied that safer operation is the primary justification for this touchpad system.
But is it really? Pushing a touchpanel screen or turning the MMI would be easier for input entry -- yes?
Hit the jump to find the real motivation.
As the 2011 Audi A8 is intended for many markets worldwide, the new MMI 3G+ recognizes several languages including Cyrillic (Russia), Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean characters. Audi said that these language capabilities will only be offered for each respective country.
And the key language in that list is Chinese. The number of meaningful Chinese characters is in the thousands, so input through the MMI screen, hard switches, touch panel, or other conventional means is not possible -- well, at least not practical. This fingertip free-entry is an elegant solution.
VW showed a prototype of this system at the 2005 ITS World Congress in San Francisco.
I attended that event as a representative of a major carmaker, and was given a demonstration of the prototype fingertip entry system. The only language available for demo was Chinese -- the rep told me the system was designed for that market.
China is now the number one new car sales market in the world with 2009 sales of 13.6M vs. 10.4M in the U.S. (data from Edmunds.com).
And Audi is the number one luxury car in China. Although Buick sold 447,011 units in 2009 vs. 158,941 for Audi, Audi is considered a premium brand in China, while Buick is not (data from Edmunds.com).
So the Chinese market is particularly important for Audi.
That fingertip entry in the 2005 prototype system was quite accurate during that demonstration, so it will be interesting to see how the production version handles English characters -- in a moving vehicle.
In addition to this new generation of MMI, the 2011 Audi A8 will also have Google Earth mapping capability along with an optionally integrated GPRS/EDGE modem.
The driver can also search online with Google for points-of-interest directly from within the MMI, with free text search queries as "delicatessen" or "shoe boutique". Results are then displayed on the onboard map or used as destinations for route calculation.
There are a lot of cool, new technologies that will arrive with the 2011 Audi A8.
It's certainly the most interesting Navi package released in the last several years.
Albert Austria, Senior Engineer, Edmunds, Inc.
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