Project Detroit: Custom Windows Phone and Tablet Car Integration
Cars are a big part of being mobile. Only recently have we started seeing mobile phones and computers really begin integrating with the automotive experience. Microsoft and West Coast Customs, tricked out a 2012 Ford Mustang with the aesthetic of a 1967 fastback as well as high-tech custom Windows Phone apps, Windows 8 in-dash touch tablets, Xbox 360, Azure, Ford Sync, Bing and external Kinect sensors never before used in automotive applications.
The Windows Phone app connects remotely to the car’s computer systems in order to allow remote control over horn “ringtones”, locking/unlock, activating the projector screen, changing the color of the accent lighting, or displaying a message on the rear of the car. You can also stream video and audio from the front and rear Kinect sensors as well as broadcast audio over the car’s PA system (if you want to make it talk.)
Inside the car there’s a touch screen computer on the column which presumably is part of Ford Sync, and a secondary touch screen Windows 8 tablet PC embedded in the passenger side dashboard. The Windows 8 touch screen can do most of the same things that the Windows Phone app does when it comes to controlling the car, but of course you can also do anything a Windows PC can do as well.
You can find more photos here.
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