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Audi announces plans to brand their networking enabled in-vehicle technology as "Audi Connect." Some of this technology is already available in new Audi vehicles including voice recognition commands for navigation, telephone functions, and an optional UMTS module that links the vehicle to the Internet. Up to 8 mobile devices can connect to the internet via the car with the W-LAN hotspot.

In the near future, Audi Connect will allow expanded voice command controls and the ability to find destinations via Google. Plans are also in the works to allow drivers to use Google Street View in Europe, with the North American market to receive this feature a bit later. Drivers can view destinations from pedestrian viewpoints and pan 360 degrees to help create situational awareness before arriving.

Further into the future, Audi plans to experiment with vehicle to vehicle communication for more efficient traffic handling and to help with crash avoidance. Audi claims CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 1/5 if the computer is able to help control the vehicle in heavily trafficked areas.

Read More at Translogic.