Toyota's 'dream' 4Runner SUV controlled by Apple iPads
A California fabricator unveiled a customized Toyota 4Runner controlled by a fleet of iPads during a Toyota-sponsored competition at the 2013 SEMA aftermarket parts trade show in Las Vegas.
The SUV, dubbed the "Ultimate Dream Ski 4Runner," was designed in conjunction with X Games-winning freestyle skier Simon Durmont. According to a report from USA Today, nearly every interior feature of the vehicle can be controlled from one of five iPads, from the volume of the audio system to opening and closing the windows.
The iPads also help actuate accessibility features, like a set of retractable running boards and an innovative enclosed ski rack system that sits atop the 4Runner's roof rails. At the tap of an iPad-based virtual button, the rack opens to reveal the skis and lowers them down to a more manageable position.
Jon Tondro of Herbst Smith Fabrication, team leader on the project, called the components "James Bond-like."
Apple's iOS devices have been used by the automotive industry in innovative and unexpected ways since the unveiling of the original iPhone in 2007. Volkswagen and stablemate Audi, for instance, have recently shown prototypes for iPad-based augmented reality repair and maintenance systems.
Cupertino is also making a first-party push into consumers' vehicles, expanding on the already popular iPod and iPhone integration. In 2012, the company unveiled Siri Eyes Free, which would bring a dedicated steering wheel button that would enable drivers to use the Siri personal digital assistant through the car's audio system.
At this year's Worldwide Developer's Conference, Apple went even further with iOS in the Car, bringing iOS features like navigation and iMessages to dashboard-mounted touch screens. Apple CEO Tim Cook has called the company's automative strategy "very, very important" and "a key focus" for Apple.
The SUV, dubbed the "Ultimate Dream Ski 4Runner," was designed in conjunction with X Games-winning freestyle skier Simon Durmont. According to a report from USA Today, nearly every interior feature of the vehicle can be controlled from one of five iPads, from the volume of the audio system to opening and closing the windows.
The iPads also help actuate accessibility features, like a set of retractable running boards and an innovative enclosed ski rack system that sits atop the 4Runner's roof rails. At the tap of an iPad-based virtual button, the rack opens to reveal the skis and lowers them down to a more manageable position.
Jon Tondro of Herbst Smith Fabrication, team leader on the project, called the components "James Bond-like."
Apple's iOS devices have been used by the automotive industry in innovative and unexpected ways since the unveiling of the original iPhone in 2007. Volkswagen and stablemate Audi, for instance, have recently shown prototypes for iPad-based augmented reality repair and maintenance systems.
Cupertino is also making a first-party push into consumers' vehicles, expanding on the already popular iPod and iPhone integration. In 2012, the company unveiled Siri Eyes Free, which would bring a dedicated steering wheel button that would enable drivers to use the Siri personal digital assistant through the car's audio system.
At this year's Worldwide Developer's Conference, Apple went even further with iOS in the Car, bringing iOS features like navigation and iMessages to dashboard-mounted touch screens. Apple CEO Tim Cook has called the company's automative strategy "very, very important" and "a key focus" for Apple.
Comments
Physical buttons. You can't touch that, iPad.
Touchscreens are NOT the answer for most things in a moving vehicle. Useful as a nav display--not to replace the physical feel-without-looking controls that have always worked far better.
I'm so glad my car has no touchscreen (other than my dash-mounted iPhone as GPS).
Touchscreen over-use in cars is a trend that sounds cool, but needs to die out. It's not like space or weight are an issue. As for voice, it can be awesome (Siri? awesome sometimes!) but it's slower and more awkward than one click of a button or turn of a knob. It's not a cure-all.
I do want iOS in the car, but for "screen" stuff like GPS and music browsing. I never want it to be controlling physical aspects of the vehicle.
(I'm reminded of a physical control few phones have but Apple intelligently includes: a mute switch. Touch-only should be used where it's the best solution, not as a buzzword people then have to live with.)
which reminds me, how do ipads handle extended storage at subzero temperatures? How about temps around 120 F? How about routine vacillations in temperature?
I just don't think that a car designed around ipads makes sense, not as ipads are currently designed (additionally, why pay for 5 ipad batteries? 5 sets of ipad speakers? 5 ipad microphones? How about all those cameras that point into the dashboard or other car surface?).
integrating an iOS interface into a cars touchscreen, that I could see, but this aftermarket integration just seems stupid.
I like where this is going, but this is not quite right, just yet,
I agree with the above posters, I like most of my controls on the wheel or close by.
Home Button ?Controls ?Portals ?Doors ?Lock/Unlock ?All Doors ?Unlock ?Now ?"Are you sure? This action will allow anyone access to the interior of your vehicle, compromising your safety." ?Confirm
You forgot the lawyer screen that says you (the driver) agree to only use the system while the vehicle stopped. I Accept. Now everything is nice and legal.
controlled by ipads? apparently they've never seen me play real racing 3. not a good idea.
But physical keys are easy to be found without looking. That is, when designed right, either by unique form or a layout that makes sense. Ie:
Good layout
Poor layout
But who knows, maybe this even works:
And yes, of course not a keyboard, that would be absurd. Though I don't think Samsung got that memo
To unlock your car doors:
Home Button ?Controls ?Portals ?Doors ?Lock/Unlock ?All Doors ?Unlock ?Now ?"Are you sure? This action will allow anyone access to the interior of your vehicle, compromising your safety." ?Confirm
Awwww. You've been using Ford/Microsoft Sync...
To unlock your car doors:
Home Button ?Controls ?Portals ?Doors ?Lock/Unlock ?All Doors ?Unlock ?Now ?"Are you sure? This action will allow anyone access to the interior of your vehicle, compromising your safety." ?Confirm
This is the exact why iBeacons and Touch ID will revolutionize how we do things...
As you approach your car, your iPhone picks up the iBeacon. The car's app opens up on the iPhone to an "Unlock Door" screen... All you have to do is put your finger on the Touch ID sensor.
That memo was dated 2006 from Palm, Inc.
The idea’s great. Basically they’re just copying Tesla, but that’s fine, because, hey, the idea is great. The design, however, is absolutely horrible. Look at it. Poof. All bloated and crap. Is it designed to be removable or something? Geez, guys, get your design together.
While the usefulness of the current modifications can be debated, I think the bigger aspect is that physical world integration is becoming a reality.
If you consider the application of biometrics, fingerprint and possibly voice recognition (in tandem with Siri), I think we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg in terms of innovation.
Really?
No mentioning of these recent events?
This page really is the Pravda of the tech-world...
Well, here are un-censored Apple Insights:
- iPad Air EXPLODES INTO FIREBALL as terrified fanbois flee Apple Store
- http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/8/ipad-explodes-setting-australian-store-customers-f/
and this:
- http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/07/apfelkind-cafe-trademark-battle-apple-germany
("The key factor that inspired Römer to fight back was a gagging clause. At first the US company had offered a compromise whereby she could use the Apfelkind logo on her own franchise products but not on any electronic equipment.")
For more obscure functions NOT while driving, iPad integration is fine. However, things like opening windows still should have physical controls. Any time you're required to take your eyes off the road to operate something in the vehicle, it risks chance of accident.
Even climate control should be physical controls. I've seen cars where the climate control system is quite complicated, requiring navigation of screens to get what you want. Definitely BAD design for a moving vehicle.
Navigation, if done correctly, would be great on an iPad in a car. The music app is far to difficult to use to recommend using it while driving as it is right now. You would need far more simplified control to make it effective.
Oh, and where do the 5 iPads come from? They say in the story that there is one mounted in the dash, and one in the back seat. Where are the rest?
What if the iPad catches fire or explodes?
- iPad Air EXPLODES INTO FIREBALL as terrified fanbois flee Apple Store
- http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/8/ipad-explodes-setting-australian-store-customers-f/
Hmmm. All these comments about how touch screen does not work as well as physical shapes to touch are 100% accurate. Funny that I seem to be the only one who was making the same comments about iOS 7 lack of color and definition and y'all did not seem to get the point. Same thing. Different interface.