The would that Jim Wynalek describes is one that's slightly ahead of the one that many of us inhabit. For example, he refers to a "multimedia head." In response to visible puzzlement, he says with a smile, "It used to be called a 'radio.'" Of course, the multimedia head unit does a whole lot more than simply provide tunes or talk (although is does that, too: but chances are good that in Wynalek's world, the source of the audio is actually a satellite, not a terrestrial tower - or it could be an MP3 file). Navigation. Internet access. E-mail. E-commerce. The vehicle that Wynalek, vice presidents E general manager, Telematics/Multimedia Visteon Corp.'s Comfort, Communication and Safety Segment, and his team-along with partner companies including Microsoft, Intel, Lucent, Nintendo, and others - are developing may look like a conventional vehicle, but it will have tremendous functionality.Consider this possible scenario: "If we detected a vehicle that required a real-time recalibration of a key engine operating parameter" - say there was an emissions problem discovered with the type of engine found in that vehicle -" we could wirelessly download the new code. We could do a 'seamless recall.' We don't have to have the car in our hands in all cases. We have the ability." (Imagine not having to spend time in some small waiting room - free coffee and donuts notwithstanding.) Visteon has learned a lot about real - world applications that include such data exchange through its participation in Formula One and Champ car racing. He continues: "We can track a vehicle from a wireless signal and its GPS location. There may be an operator that wants to know where their assets area at all times. We can do that." Think of logistics companies that are serving just-in-time customer needs. As for a vehicle that can do either of these things: they haven't engineered one - yet. They're working on it.As for what this car will be built like, Wynalek observes, "We're not making radical changes to the physical architecture of the car. I think the electronic architecture of the car may change with time, such that we have the appropriate multiplexing and data buses so we can move more information around in the car and spin more of that off to some infrastructure."
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