OnStar combines with Verizon's 4G LTE to show the car of the future

GM has been using Verizon's wireless network for 15 years to provide OnStar service to its vehicles, and now with 4G LTE on the loose, the car manufacture is hoping to take things to a higher level. On display at CES 2011, GM and Verizon has fitted a Buick LaCrosse with a 4G LTE modem, cameras, sensors and a host of different controls. Any future streaming video capabilities would be either available solely in the rear seat of the vehicle or only when the vehicle is in park.

The main features include:

Vehicle monitoring – Cameras mounted throughout the interior and exterior of the car allow remote viewing of what is happening in and around your parked vehicle through a smartphone or PC.
Impact detection – The research vehicle has the ability to send live video to secure servers in the cloud from each of its six cameras placed around the exterior and interior of the vehicle. This is triggered by events around the car or by an application on a smartphone. When an impact such as a parking lot fender-bender is detected, the vehicle transmits a video clip, helping to identify the offending driver.
Home monitoring and control – Keep an eye on your home by connecting to security cameras in real-time through the 4Home service. Control the thermostat, lights and other home systems from your vehicle – “preset” scenes allow you to condition your home when you leave, before you return or when you’re leaving for an extended period of time.
Electronic User’s Guide – Learn how to operate and maintain your vehicle through videos streamed on demand to the dashboard.
Video chat – Make a video call using Skype to connect with family, friends or colleagues.
Traffic view – A voice-operated navigation system goes beyond calculating the best route by displaying live traffic-cam images from TrafficLand to spot congestion before you get stuck in a backup.

So what does this mean for you? You'll be able to monitor your car's security camera on your on the dashboard display, and well as on a smartphone and PC when your away. Voice search and a traffic view that streams live traffic-cam images, Skype with video chat, and an impact detection system that would identify if your car was hit in a parking lot, and would then turn on all the exterior cameras and capture an image of the offending vehicle as it drove away.

Since this is a prototype, there's no word yet on when you'll be able to have this optional package installed on a new car, or what the cost would be.



source: Verizon Wireless and AutoBlog