We just a good look at the crazy touchscreen console in the Tesla Model S electric Sedan, the most interesting of which is that it has a 3G connection all the time.
In addition to that, there’s the centre console’s controls, which are full touchscreen, can manipulate your iPod, Google Maps as well as streaming radio. There’s HD, AUX, USB and iPod input to the car, so that covers the major device you’d be able to use too. The current design looks really busy at first glance, but that’s probably because the entire console takes the place of what used to be a slew of buttons and knobs and dials.
The RFID tag is also very interesting. When you walk up to the car, the Model S detects your RFID keytag and pops out the handles for you. When you want to start up the car, there’s no start button. You just sit there and wait for the car to detect your RFID presence.
Matt
March 27, 2009 at 10:37 AM
No start button? So what happens when I want to sit in the car and wait for someone? Does that mean I have no choice but to sit there with the engine running?
Report PermalinkMichael
March 27, 2009 at 11:21 AM
I’m thinking that you still have to touch something to start the car. Creating a car that autostarts when you are near it just seems like bad practice.
Report PermalinkJono Rogers
March 27, 2009 at 11:22 AM
@Matt: haha dude its a tesla, it’s not like it has to idle or something – when you sit there the dash, stereo, heater etc turn on, and the car is ready to apply power to the wheels, but its not wasted energy.. it’s the equivalent of turning the accessories on on a normal car..
sounds pretty good to me but what about RFID hacking? it’s already proven itself not so strong against hackers (passports etc).. will the next generation of car thieves be armed with rfid sniffers instead of coat hangers?
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