Social Networking Car!

HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment group, is taking social networking to a whole new level with the world’s first social networking vehicle namely the Rinspeed BamBoo electric concept car.

Taking into account the lifestyle trends of consumers to go greener as well as the trend to stay connected through social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook, HARMAN has put together a platform that allows one to enjoy the pleasures of green driving along with staying connected.

The base vehicle is the Rinspeed BamBoo electric car and inside HARMAN has taken the liberty to install their next generation, scalable platform as the core of the entertainment system. Using HARMAN’s Aha Radio technology, which incidentally uses intuitive voice technologies and its patent-pending predictive search technology to help reduce distractions for the driver, the user can access the online realm and therefore interact on various social media platforms. The Aha Radio translates text based digital content to voice and allows for playback in the car. Drivers can listen to Twitter and Facebook updates, monitor traffic, play podcasts as well as listen to live streaming music via the Internet.

The BamBoo also comes with an integrated WiFi connection that allows the vehicle to connect to people around it. Utilizing some of the most advanced streaming protocols available today, the BamBoo can stream music to individuals around the vehicle. In addition to this, there is a strong smartphone support and this allows for seamless connectivity to Android based smartphones and tablet computers.

The interface is great for work as well as emails can be sent on the go thanks to the text-to-speech tool, which allows the driver to listen and revert to emails while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

The instrument boasts of various technologies that classify it as ecotainment. The JBL ® GreenEdge™ surround sound audio system delivers with extraordinary energy efficiency without compromising the outstanding audio dynamics and excellent sound quality that JBL is known for. HARMAN-patented, high-efficiency speakers have been precisely matched with the digital amplifier to reduce the power requirement on the vehicle battery by over 60 per cent, with a dramatically reduced system weight. HARMAN’s infotainment system is also the central hub for the BamBoo energy management system, which precisely calculates the car’s available range with energy efficient routing.

Furthermore, HARMAN’s HALOsonic ESS Electronic Sound Synthesis technology generates engine noise or a driving sound to warn pedestrians of the approaching automobile. Considering the fact that electric vehicles are super silent and we as pedestrians have been trained to listen for vehicles as well, this technology is a human touch that goes a long way in mitigating any accident. On the inside, the system generates sounds for speed and acceleration, adding to the entire drive feel.

With the world converging onto set technologies the HARMAN Rinspeed BamBoo might be a concept today but isn’t too far away from being a reality considering the benefits such an interface would offer.