BMW BLOG

Well, it seems like my idea of connecting in-car computers to offices or homes it’s not that unrealistic and crazy. Consumer Electric Show 2009 edition brings some new innovations in automotive world, starting with the Flir Night Vision Camera  and continuing with the latest, coolest gadget from Panasonic.

Named HD-PLC , it stands for High-Definition Powerline Communications, was developed by Panasonic to allow communication between the electric cars charging in your garage and the house’s electrical lines. According to The Earth Times, and somewhat expected, the system could also transfer music to the car’s entertainment system, maps and directions and even movies on the navigation screen.

Panasonic claims that the owners of an electric car – Mini owners included – can monitor the recharging process and battery levels from the convenience of their home. The person that emailed me regarding the Panasonic HD-PLC brings up a good point. He claims that there are areas where the kilowatt per hour is calculated based on the time of the day, with lower prices at night. So, by monitoring and scheduling your charging system, you could be saving serious money over a long period of time. Mini E is definitely a candidate for such technology. 

This take us a step closer to what I mentioned in my article, there is a need for a powerful in-car computer, a system that will allow file transfers between the in-car laptop and your office, the possibility of conducting video conferencing or simply, surfing the web with an in-built computer. We are closer than anyone thinks and within five years, my idea will be featured as an option in certain vehicles – YES, I said it.

[Source: Autoblog ]