Los Angeles — The Germans are great admirer of their cars and occasionally they add innovative gadgets in the newest models they export around the world. Search engine giant Google, another creative thinker is partnering with German car manufacturer Audi to include Google Earth and a number of other Google services in its flagship luxury sedan, the new Audi A8.
Audi and Google have been closely involved together to bring the full Google Earth experience to the dashboard of a car and the A8 is the first vehicle to achieve such a feat. In this newest models, the navigation system will allow drivers to freely search for points-of-interest via Google’s search engine, with the desired destination entered into the nav unit. The nav software has also been updated to overlay its directions on to Google Earth’s 3D satellite representation of our home planet, complete with terrain information.
Navigation instructions overlaid on to Google Earth imagery. (Credit: Audi)
The latest A8 will be purchasable world-wide from the beginning of 2010 and for select models in some markets the MMI entertainment, information and navigation system will be equipped with a built-in GPRS/EDGE modem. 3D satellite imagery on a large LCD screen now dominates the center of the A8’s front dash as seen above. Everything you expect in the desktop version of GE is apparently also available in the A8 version.
Google’s Lat Long Blog announced the feature earlier this week. Audi A8 owners will be able to acquire satellite imagery of their present locations, as well as Google’s Maps and Local Search will also be merged into the system, with a link to drivers’ desktop computers. A8 owners will be able to search for addresses or business listings from their desktop computers and have the search results sent directly to their cars.
“Nowadays, it looks as if everything is attached to the Internet: mobile phones, laptops, netbooks, portable game consoles, personal navigation devices,” reads the latest post on the Google Lat Long blog.
“Google has worked with the automotive industry to bring services like Local Search into cars in the past — now we are teaming up with Audi to bring an entirely new type of technology into the car: Google Earth.
The Google Maps and Local Search functionality will also function directly from the car’s built-in navigation system:
Probably the most tempting feature though, is the fact that your A8 can know where it is about to travel before you even unlock it and sit down to drive. That is because Google allows you to use Google Maps on your PC to find a location and route, and then forward that information on to your car. While in the car, you can use Google Local Search in the same rich quality as at your desk. Going out in an hour or so? Find the route at home and your car will be ready to guide you there as soon as you start the engine.
You can also use Wikipedia layers for more information and Panoramio layers to get additional pictures for additional views of the terrain. Google Maps and Local Search are also accessible.
Posting on the Google Lat Long Blog, Google’s Jens Redmer and Wieland Holfelder said:
Google Earth has come a long way from when it received “oohs” and “aahs” during its presentation to Googlers and the public in 2005 … we are very excited about this newest milestone and we hope that drivers will have that same “ooh” and “aah” reaction when exploring Google Earth from the Audi A8.
To use these services, drivers will have to either insert their SIM card into the MMI system or pair a compatible mobile phone via Bluetooth.
Neither Google nor Audi have said explicitly whether the feature will come standard or be an optional (and more expensive) feature. However, the $75,000 luxury car does come with a standard navigation system, so it is possible that Google’s services will come standard, as well.