A journey through the North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center at CES is a demonstration of automotive innovation. In the past few years, the car companies have spent billions in dashboard technology.
Today’s “center stacks” bear virtually no resemblance to the 2 knobs/6 preset car radios we enjoyed for decades.
Today, it’s heads-up displays, seamless phone pairing, satellite radio, and embedded apps.
But if you think all this in-dash genius began when Ford debuted SYNC less than a decade ago, you’re sadly mistaken.
Chrysler was way ahead of the game. Sixty years ago, their engineers developed “Highway Hi-Fi,” the first turntable in the dash. It featured customized 7″ records with entertainment from the hottest stars of the day. You radio old-timers will be happy to know that Percy Faith and His Orchestra was one of the first featured artists on the “Highway Hi-Fi” platform.
Fortunately for Chrysler, JD Power ratings didn’t exist back in the ‘60s or this clever dashboard feature would have enjoyed an even shorter life.
But wild-eyed in-dash innovations are still being dreamed up today. Forbes broke the story first and now techies all over the world are raising their eyebrows over Ford’s new projector and screen system designed to fit autonomous cars.
We’re talking about a drop-down screen over the windshield, coupled with a projector that delivers video entertainment as consumers motor around in their self-driving cars.
George Jetson wouldn’t have been caught dead driving around in a car with this kind of fakakta gadgetry. It’s not a Man Cave – it’s a car.
Of course, this is just a patent, so we shouldn’t expect to see this hot new innovation in 2017 Explorers. Or at least we hope not.
Perhaps radio’s on-air USP will become “the safest entertainment on the road.” For now, it looks like radio’s 93% reach threshold is safe.
They say there are no bad ideas in brainstorms. In this case, I beg to differ.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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“Keep your mind on your driving, keep your hands on the wheel…”- Paul Evans, 1960. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1cjaheraq8 ps. First 45 I bought was “Summer Place” Thanks, Fred! ps CBS offers refresh catalyst: Adaptive RADIOation. broadcastideas.com
Clark, glad you liked the post.
Ok. You’ve finally done it, Fred.
You found a way to use the word “fakakta” in one of your posts.
Oy. Such a good boy.
JC, this mishegas of so-called technology motivates me to dig a little deeper into my meshugena roots.