6 things Alibaba’s wise internet car can do that your car can’t
China’s Alibaba Group has launched its very first YunOS powered, mass produced internet car called OS’Car RX5. Built in collaboration with SAIC Motor Corp, it is an SUV (sports utility vehicle) priced inbetween RMB 99,800 (approximately Rs 1,006,400) to RMB 186,800 (approximately Rs 1,883,700).
YunOS was launched in 2011, and since then, it has become an integral part of Alibaba’s Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile internet infrastructure. Based on Android, YunOS connects smartphones, smartwatches and tablets, the OS is now making its way to car dashboard, advanced rear-view mirror and large touch screens as well. OS’Car with YunOS will take on Google’s Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay.
“What we are creating is not ‘internet in the car’, but a ‘car on the internet’. Clever operating systems become the 2nd engine of cars, while data is the fresh fuel. Going forward, cars will become an significant platform for internet services and brainy hardware innovation. We will be embracing a world where everything is closely connected,” Dr Wang Jian, Chairman of Technology Steering Committee of Alibaba Group said.
YunOS is designed to suggest drivers with a host of features such as data streaming, reporting and modeling to suggest an ultimate driving practice, the company said. Together with cloud-based data, YunOS brings a series of innovative features to OS’Car RX5 drivers. Let’s take a quick look at those features.
Intelligent map: Drivers get instant and precise location based on sub-meter, without using GPS or Wi-Fi. While details about how exactly it works are scarce at the moment, we assume it could have some beacons at certain locations across the city for location tracking. The intelligent map can also zoom in or out based on the speed of the car.
Brainy voice control: The car can accept direct voice instructions, thus creating a safer driving environment. It enables drivers to lightly control the system with their voice including guidelines like embarking and stopping the engine.
Detachable activity cameras: The OS’Car RX5 comes tooled with four detachable cameras permitting drivers to capture 360-degree in-car selfies and also record their journey. What’s more, one can instantly share their selfies with friends using a connected smartphone.
Internet ID: This feature in enables the to recognize the driver using the connected smartwatch or a smartphone. This also enables personalized services such as preferred settings, AC temperature, music and destinations. Even if the car is driven by numerous people it customizes itself according to the driver.
Integrated screen: The RX5 comes with three screens – an LED dashboard and a large touchscreen to control everything from temperature to music, AC and more. It also comes with an intelligent rear-view mirror to ensure safer driving.
Open platform: The YunOS is an open platform for different services and brainy hardware which will eventually enable manufacturers to develop and integrate IoT based devices to further enhance the driving practice.
That’s not all; OS’Car RX5 features fresh generation design language. Together with lower oil consumption, powerful accelerator and advance fuel technology, it has a shorter braking distance as well.
