Social Networking Car!

Engineers at HARMAN, the premium global audio and infotainment group, have developed the world’s first “Internet car”, which can read out your emails, Facebook and Twitter updates. The unique Rinspeed Bamboo car can also help motorists behind the wheel surf the net by using a series of voice commands.

The car is compatible with all smartphones, iPads and BlackBerry devices. Twitter updates, Facebook messages and instant texts can all be accessed by the driver while the car is moving. It also comes fitted with its own Wi-Fi transmitter allowing passengers to use their laptops or mobile devices. To sync and avail these facilities, all you need is to attach your smartphones or iPads into a charger in the electric car before set off. The vehicle also allows drivers to search radio stations with voice commands using its special “infotainment” technology.

The car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show recently. According to Harman, the first cars fitted with the technology could be on the road within 18 months.

The technology is designed to prevent the driver being distracted by texts and emails. Through voice commands the computer reads a person’s messages to them as they drive. At the moment, when a driver receives a text or an email or even a Twitter update they have to pull over to read it. This technology means now drivers can be kept up to date without taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road.