Shuttle demonstrates car PC with 3G wireless, GPS
updated 02:50 pm EDT, Fri August 18, 2006
Shuttle Car PC Prototype
Connecting cars to the Internet has been feasible since the introduction of mobile Internet access, but in most cases the connection is limited to a single user with a laptop. At the CarTronics show in Taiwan, small form factor PC manufacturer Shuttle demonstrated a prototype of a PC that fully integrates 3G wireless Internet access into the car for all users, not just the front passenger. A variant of the SN21G5 design includes a 3G modem and lets anyone sitting in front of one of the three LCDs placed in the Mercedes S-Class test vehicle browse the web, make VoIP phone calls, play audio, or plan car trips via GPS. Shuttle's concept relies on a special power supply compatible with the 12-volt port on many cars to power the system. The prototype would eventually use WiMax to provide an even faster connection. There was no word from the computer manufacturer regarding when a production model would appear.
