Audi announces the tablet terminal "Audi Smart Display", what is its aim?

The international appliance fair that ended the other day "CES 2014"In addition to home electronics manufacturers there were companies that display digital devices. Among them, automobile manufacturersAudi(Audi), a tablet terminal of its own brand "Audi Smart DisplayIt is attracting attention that we were exhibiting. Why do car manufacturers develop tablet devices? What is the purpose of Audi?

First look: Audi's Android-powered Smart Display - YouTube


This is the Audi tablet terminal "Audi Smart Display (ASD)". The size is 10.2 inches.


It is a tablet terminal for cars called "head unit".


This is the state of ASD actually installed in the car at the venue of CES 2014. It seems to be installed in a sense like navigation.


Tap the icon "My Desk" ......


You can easily access your favorite content such as photos and music.


Then tap the icon "Car Info" ......


It is possible to monitor the condition of the car such as tachometer · speedometer.


Car info can also be accessed from the passenger's seat ......


If you remove ASD, you can also access from outside the car. You can grasp the state of the car at any time by browsing log data on cars.


Tap the "Music" icon ......


The music library saved on the SD card opens. Music in the library can be played from a car speaker.


ASD can also be used as a tablet terminal for browsing the Internet via Wi-Fi at home, and also has a function as a media library.


By transferring the recorded movie to ASD ......


You can watch it not only at home, but also inside the car.


In addition ASD will transform into car navigation system.


What I use in the demonstrationGoogle Earth.


The current location is grasped by the GPS function, and the movement route is displayed in blue.


Linked with traffic jam information etc.


Of course, route search is also handy


ASD also supports Google Play and you can also download a variety of apps.


Audi Smart Display to SoCNVIDIAofTegra 4(Tegra T40) processor, SIM card slot is also carried and it can be used with high speed mobile line by LTE.

Audi was formed by other car manufacturers such as Google and Honda · GM "Open Auto Alliance(OAA) "participating in the IT Union Project that utilizes Android for automobiles. Because NVIDIA is also a member of OAA, it was natural that Audi adopted Android + Tegra 4 for ASD.

There is a possibility that other car manufacturers and IT companies will participate in OAA in the future, so there is a high possibility that automobile manufacturers other than Audi are going to develop tablets for exclusive use. "Tablet terminals in the car are obvious The future that is going to come.