Where would we be without our cars? Stranded is a word that springs to mind! However, it is much more than that freedom to travel around and visit new places is what having your own car means. Nevertheless, they need to be looked after and it seems that there has been a rise in gadgets that are designed to make motoring easier. In this Top Five, we will be looking at just some of the innovations available to the motorist; some are yet to be launched, while others are already available to the motorist.
Add a little extra room to a Smart Car
The Smart Car is a great idea for travelling around the city it is great to park, but it does lack room, in fact apart from the two seats there is little room elsewhere for anything else. Enter the Dock+Go from Rinspeed, it’s a great idea that effectively turns the Smart Car into a mini truck by adding a new rear end to the car. This additional space be modified to suit a wide range or uses and it looks cool too.
This is what the Rinspeed press release had to say about the Dock+Go feature;
Any electrified city speedster could serve as the basis for “Dock+Go.” For demonstration purposes, Rinderknecht selected a two-seat smart car as the basis. Different “packs” can turn the electric flea into the dream car of every pizza delivery driver – complete with a built-in isothermal box. Or they allow winter sports enthusiasts to comfortably stow their gear. In Geneva Rinspeed will furthermore show off a rolling “sound pack” which multimedia and infotainment specialist Harman has filled with the latest high-end sound solutions in order to guarantee a first class acoustical experience.
The Dock+Go will be official launched at the Geneva Motor Show on the 8th March.
Source [Coolest Gadgets]
Self driving cars allowed on the road
When we think of a car that is able to drive itself normally KIT or Herbie would spring to mind, but in the real world driverless cars are being pioneered by Google and they have been given a boost in the State of Nevada, where these cars are able to legally take to the road.
According to Bruce Breslow, who is the director of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, he said;
“Then they have to take us out and prove that they can do it. They’re not ready to go to market yet.”
Source [Technabob]
How secure is your car
Well with this Cardok completely it would seem as the car will be kept safely underground in a purpose built docking bay. You simply drive onto the platform get out and with the remote control, the car is lowered into place. You can even park another car on top of the platform effectively doubling your parking.
These are the details for the brilliant Cardok parking platform;
Press the remote control, and the Cardok starts to lift, revealing the additional parking space inside. Within less than thirty seconds, the Cardok is completely open. For safety, the remote control has a simple ‘hold-to-run’ operation, meaning it stops the instant it is released.
Prices start from around $60,000
Source [Geeky Gadgets]
Flat battery no problem
This handy little device packs enough power to start your car and there is no need to even open up the hood either. It comes already fully charged and it will stay like that for up to five years. However, on that occasion when the battery is dead, simply plug the device into the cigarette lighter outlet, wait for the beep and turn the key to start the engine, it is essential equipment for people who do not want to be stranded anywhere.
Here are the main features for the handy glove box battery jumper;
The device jump-starts a car’s battery in as little as 10 minutes, providing a two-amp “trickle” charge, even in temperatures as low as -10º F. A quick beep indicates when charging is complete. Reversing a switch allows the device to recharge in 30 minutes from a running car. It comes fully charged, providing up to five years of power. Includes a set of mini-jumper cables for motorcycles. 3″ H x 3″ W x 2 1/2″ D. (2 lbs.)
Priced at $35
Source [Hammacher and Schlemmer]
How fit is your car
We all hear strange sounds and even knocking sometimes from our cars, but unless you are a mechanic, it is almost impossible to know what it is. However, with this handy device, that plugs into the cars OBDII port (All cars built after 1996 have one!) under the dash and then through a wi-fi connection will display what is going on with your car through an app on your Smartphone. Now you will never be fooled by a mechanic again!
This is what the Kiwi Wi-Fi iPhone Car Diagnostic Kit does;
The Kiwi Wi-Fi is a plug and play wireless device that connects to your car’s OBDII port (right below the steering wheel). Kiwi Wi-Fi comes attached with a 6 ft OBDII cable for easy installation. It also comes with a power switch built-in to prevent the need for having to constantly disconnect your unit from the OBDII port.
Priced at $150
Source [Think Geek]
