Automotive Tech at CES

Automotive technology is eagerly anticipated at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, especially with Ford providing one of the keynote speeches.

What’s hot in automotive technology for 2010?

• Ford’s Sync Technology: Sync has matured from voice-controlled music, phone & 911 capability to now providing traffic & directional information; personalized traffic, turn-by-turn directional abilities and even voice-controlled news, sports & weather content.
• Google Maps Navigation: Look for some type of announcement involving Google Maps Navigation, TomTom GPS & possibly Nokia; Turn-by-turn directions, more voice controlled goodies and new street view functionality may be wrapped up neatly in a creative solution that nobody saw coming.
• On-Board WiFi: Sync enabled Ford vehicles will also turn into rolling WiFi hot spots with the help of  a simple data card installed within the framework of the car.
• Pandora may announce a solution that integrates in-dash Internet radio

We can only hope these new items are aimed at providing efficient driver/passenger solutions and not additional driver distractions. Or, even worse, some type of social media distraction like a heads-up twitter display or a steering-wheel-keyboard Facebook integration.

Anyone working on an automotive kill-switch technology for mobile keyboards? That’s a solution we need.