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Cars’ Internet connections may change driving life

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January 10, 2012|By Hiawatha Bray

(Page 3 of 3)

But OnStar is now available on low-cost cars, too. Like computers and smartphones, the system became cheaper as it was more widely adopted, Magney said.

Now, systems for connected cars are being designed to be affordable.

“Every major manufacturer is trying to develop a Sync-like system that allows you to connect mobile devices to the car’’ and is low-cost, Magney added.

Ford is only one of the automakers showing connected car technology at the Las Vegas electronics show, which is where manufacturers showcase the newest computer, television, and smartphone technologies.

Cadillac is featuring its CUE system, which has a smartphone-like dashboard touchscreen that can be customized. Kia, Audi, and Mercedes are also promising to show connected car systems.

The ultimate smart car, though, would be one that drives itself, a goal that gets closer to being realized with each new innovation in automotive intelligence. When cars can observe their surroundings and talk to each other, “the autonomous vehicle is probably not too far away,’’ Bucci said.

GM plans to introduce self-driving cars in the next 10 years, Taub said.

“It is coming,’’ he said. “The question is when and at what cost.’’