Gizmodo: car electronics

CoolCop Is a Hose That Runs AC Right Into Your Shirt, But Only if You're a Cop

Adam Frucci — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:40:00 EDT

You know you've made it as an inventor when you're selling a vacuum cleaner hose to cops for $50 that's designed to run from their car's AC vents to their shirts.

Yes, the CoolCop is a hose that runs the output of an AC vent right into the top of your shirt. For some reason, it's being marketed to cops and cops alone, because they're the only ones who get hot in cars.

On a hot day there's nothing more uncomfortable than having to wear a T-shirt soaked with sweat. Add a bulletproof vest over it and no amount of air conditioning coming from your car vent is going to keep you cool and dry.
The CoolCop dash attachment attaches easily to the air conditioning vent. The soft vinyl vest attachment fits comfortably between your vest and undershirt. Cool air is then delivered under your vest to keep you cool, dry and comfortable.

Next time I'm cruising the steamy streets of Atlanta wearing a bulletproof vest, I'm totally going to jury rig one of these things out of a vacuum hose. That's a promise. [CoolCop via Book of Joe]

Laser Windshield System Keeps the Elderly Driving Longer For Some Reason

Adam Frucci — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:14:08 EDT

Which sounds like a better way to make the roads safer: rescind drivers licenses from people who are very old and have failing vision, or create a fancy system with lasers to allow them to keep driving. If you answered the latter, you're in the same camp as General Motors. They're hard at work on a fancy new windshield that uses lasers, infrared sensors and a camera to make it easier for your decrepit old granddad to see just where the hell he's going.

The system projects a laser on the windshield to highlight things that you should be noticing, like the edge of the road on a foggy day or that first grade class on the crosswalk. The system is still a long way off, thanks to the many elements that would need to be put in place. For example, a mechanism would need to track your head and eyes to make sure the lasers were properly placed.

But hey, it'll be easier than prying the licenses out of the stubborn hands of people who are no longer fit to command a dangerous vehicle, right? [CNN]

Audiovox's Aftermarket Backup Camera Mounts Behind Your License Plate

Adam Frucci — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:00:00 EST

The Pitch: Get a backup camera in your car without buying a new car with the feature built-in. Avoid backing over children and dogs by seeing a whole lot more than your mirrors show. It's waterproof and won't block your license plate. The Catch:While they say it stays hidden behind the license plate, sticking a $300 gadget on the outside of your car is just asking for it to get stolen. Hit the jump for the full release.

AUDIOVOX WIRELESS COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM MOUNTS BEHIND LICENSE PLATE
Prevents Obstruction to License Plate Data-Minimizes Theft

Las Vegas NV - January 2008 - Audiovox Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX) today announced its newest collision avoidance system that is a company first. A wireless camera that mounts on the back side of the vehicle license plate holder, making it nearly invisible, which not only reduces the risk of theft, but also prevents any obstruction to the data on the plate (It is illegal in most states to block license plate data). In addition the camera is the first product to provide wireless transmission to the monitor inside the vehicle. For ease of installation, the vehicle's back-up lights rather than the vehicle power source supply camera power.

The camera angle is adjustable to accommodate different size vehicles and the lens comes complete with a 130-degree wide-angle view. The 4.5-inch TFT color screen delivers 640 x 480 resolution and 400 cd/m makes the screen ideal for daytime viewing. An AC adapter plug and hardwired power cord for the monitor as well as both a visor clip and suction cup monitor mount are included.

Other features include a selectable normal or mirror image view and a waterproof weather-resistant camera housing. Model ACA450: MSRP $299.00

Blaupunkt SD27 Car Receiver Too Hip For CDs

ybaranovsky — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:00:54 EDT

CDs are slowly going the way of the VHS tape and the Blaupunkt Melbourne SD27 car receiver/audio player is just further proof of that. The receiver has no CD player at all—instead, it plays MP3s and WMA files, includes an MMC/SD card reader and has an LED display that'll show all of your ID3 files and folders.

The unit also accepts USB devices and even has optional iPod and Bluetooth interfaces, providing you with almost every possible way to load music onto it. At $160, the sweet little player may as well come with a shovel you can use to bury your beloved CD collection. [Blaupunkt via SciFi]

Bose Gives Media Center to FCC in a Ferrari

Adam Frucci — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:20:00 EDT

Bose recently sent their new in-car media center to the FCC for testing. The car they sent it in? A Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. Bose sure knows how to wow 'em, eh? You can't distract us from your product, Bose, no matter how much you try!

Their Media Center uses Gracenote and AMG metadata to figure out what exactly it is you're listening to, and loads up with maps from Navteq. It also has a TV tuner, which is sure to be one of the more dangerous additions to the car-electronics lineup in some time. –Adam Frucci

Bose Filing [FCC]