Car or computer? How transport is becoming more connected

As was discussed in the book 'After the Car' modern cars are becoming highly sophisticated in how they are connected, in terms of integrating with transport information as well as the potential for being part of a social network. This interesting article outlines some of the recent developments:

Fiat is using software that tells drivers how to make better, and more fuel efficient, choices behind the wheel.

 

They are among the 612 Mini E cars being trialed in the US, UK and Germany since 2009. These plug-in electric models are leased to customers, and BMW - the owner of the Mini - is monitoring every aspect of the cars' use, in almost every scenario, as they are put through their paces.The amount of data that can now be collected about how drivers use their cars is unprecedented. And the impact of so much information is potentially huge. Imagine having your car post MOT reminders to your social networks, or share your location with friends, or prove that you were not responsible for an accident.

Behaviour changing 

A British company, Riversimple, has designed a range of tiny hydrogen-powered cars, which it will roll out in Leicester in 2012.They will collect every minute detail about how the cars are used. If the pilot goes well, they are already discussing ways of connecting the cars to social media, and sharing data about how the cars are used."Drivers could play games to see who is driving the most efficiently," says Rosie Reeves, Riversimple's sustainability officer.Italian carmaker Fiat has been compiling data from the Blue&Me navigation systems installed on many of its cars over a six-month period. It may be the largest such data harvest done by a major carmaker.
 

"We can extract a number of data - on how the pedals are used, petrol consumption, braking," says Candido Peterlini, vice president for product development at Fiat. It developed eco:Drive from the data collected from 420,000 car journeys of 5,700 drivers in five countries.

 

 Read more at - 'Car or computer? How transport is becoming more connected'

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DocNext on IDFA International Documentary Festival Amsterdam

Here is some information on an upcoming film festival where young and new film-makers use media technologies to frame/capture their environments. It looks promising -

Doc Next is a special program of IDFA, featuring short documentaries by a new generation of young film talents from Europe using accessible media technologies to zoom in on their environments. For the first time, their documentaries are being shown on the big festival screen.

At the Doc Next talk show, young documentary makers take centre stage. We seize their films and stories to discuss the challenges and possibilities of user-generated media content with festival organisers, media broadcasters and documentary experts. How can do-it-yourself documentaries inspire different media domains and contribute to inclusive public opinion sharing in Europe? How can this new generation of storytellers help mainstream media to attract new audiences? 

Doc Next is hosted by Leena Pasanen, executive producer at Yle Fact & Culture. Yle is Finland's national public service broadcasting company. Leena has built up a strong reputation as one of the most internationally orientated and engaged European commissioning editors, especially known for her support to new talent.

Contributing guests are Doc Next’s young filmmakers Ahang Bashi (Sweden), Solomon Walter-Kelly (UK), Erhan Arik (Turkey), Vieru Dan Ilian (Romania) and media professionals Patricia Aufderheide (Professor of Film and Media Arts in the School of Communication at American University in Washington), Noel Goodwin (Youth Programmer, British Film Institute, UK), Arman Tadevosyan (Curator and initiator 5th FLOOR in Armenia), Beadie Finzi (Founding director Britdoc Channel 4, UK) and ARTE. 

Location

Doc Next will take place on 20 November 2010, 14.30 – 18.00 (drinks at 16.30), in the Escape venue. Escape is situated at Rembrandtplein 11, Amsterdam. 

Public transportation: take tram 4, 9 or 20 from Amsterdam Central Station, get off at Rembrandtplein. If you are coming by car you can park at Stopera Parkeergarage, Waterlooplein, Amsterdam.

European Cultural Foundation and IDFA

 

More information : 

http://www.eurocult.org/youth-and-media

http://www.idfa.nl 

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