Graphics company Nvidia has revolutionized OEM electronics

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OriginalWheelman
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http://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2014/06/11/ageing-car/

Calling it 'the fountain of youth', Nvidia states
the average age of cars on the road in the U.S. is 11.4 years, according to new data released by IHS Automotive. And that average is projected to rise over the next five years.

Now, think about your personal technology. In the past 11 years, you’ve probably gone through at least a few laptops and something close to a half dozen mobile phones.

To enhance the in-vehicle experience, NVIDIA provides solutions like the Tegra visual computing module (VCM), a modular computer that can easily be slid into place. That means the car’s dashboard and infotainment system can be easily updated – putting it on a different life cycle than the rest of the vehicle. The computing hardware is upgradable and the software updatable, so the user experience in the car can progress over the life of the car.

The big advantage of the Tegra VCM is that it’s programmable. So, software applications can be enhanced or added long after the car has left the dealership. With a fast processor and enhanced graphics capabilities, new downloads of software can enable new features in the vehicle years down the road.
So they've designed a simple, modular in dash system that can be upgraded at will. Let's hope it catches on.


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Rogue One
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Wonder if they'll demo this at CES next year...

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MinisterofDOOM
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Neat idea, but I don't think nVidia (who is historically a head-in-the-clouds company anyway) understands just how huge the gulf between the electronics and automotive industries is.

Electronics and software manufacturers are accustomed to supporting products for a fair portion of their lifespans. Automobile manufacturers (with a couple notable modern exceptions) have built their business firmly upon the "final product" sales model. You don't get software updates or added features or support after the sale. You buy the car you want and it's downhill from there.

I really don't see ANY auto manufacturer jumping on this. It's added complexity and discrete design with no benefits to the manufacturer. There's nothing it does that's NEEDED to make cars work well now. It's a nice perk for the consumer but if that mattered we wouldn't still be looking at the worst user interfaces in the universe inside even the most highly-regarded cars.

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OriginalWheelman
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I had the same thought but they mention they are working with Audi. It is coming in the new A3.

It is however good for dealers. They would be able to sell upgrades, both software and hardware. The manufacturer could conceivably make something off the hardware side.


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