Send and receive e-mails in your car without a time lag, access your own music library from home online, reserve a parking space by Internet or book a train ticket: HARMAN International Automotive presents the mobile infotainment and communication technology of the future with speedy Internet access and exceptional operating comfort in the Rinspeed “UC?” concept car. The centerpiece of the powerful system is the new, scalable infotainment platform. This offers maximum connectivity.
The Urban Commuter “UC?” (you see?) measures only 2.5 meters long and is combined with a rail transport system to enable longer distances to be covered using the existing rail network, also using an electric drive mechanism, which is good news for the environment. In order to ensure a smooth combination of the different modes of transport while achieving maximum energy efficiency, the Automotive Division at HARMAN International has equipped the innovative two-seater with the latest infotainment and sound technology.
Thus, the “UC?” has powerful broadband access to the Internet. For example, the driver could use the online search function to check out the next long-distance connections and order train tickets for himself and his vehicle directly - while on the move. The system could provide the driver with active support by calculating the time required for road and rail travel, as well as the time it will take to get from the station to the final destination, thereby guaranteeing optimum travel logistics. All functions can be combined with voice control functionality, thereby ensuring a safe driving experience.
At the same time, the system could also allow access to a virtual media storage solution. This would mean that passengers in the “UC?” could access their personal data, e.g. from home or the office, at any time, simply calling it up from the Internet by means of an Internet connection. In addition, it would be possible to use all the applications of a smartphone with ease. One of the USB interfaces could be used to connect smartphones, enabling their applications to be reproduced and used on the 6.5 inch display.
Thanks to the high-performance platform, it would also be possible to exploit all other modern communication channels, such as Twitter, Facebook or Newsticker. Drivers and passengers could also enjoy a range of Internet radio services.
An environmentally-friendly navigation system is also integrated in the new, scalable infotainment platform from HARMAN. A routing algorithm specially tailored to the car will calculate the route that will expend the least energy in reaching the destination. This will reduce emissions and, at the same time, increase the car's fuel range.
Specially Adapted HARMAN Kardon® GreenEdge® Sound System
To ensure the best possible entertainment while on the move, the “UC?” uses the high-performance HARMAN Kardon® GreenEdge® sound system: the GreenEdge®sound system, which is specially adapted for the Rinspeed “UC”, requires far less energy than conventional systems. The optimum combination of low current requirement, light weight and special, high-efficiency amplifiers and sound transducers ensures maximum energy efficiency, while at the same time producing an extraordinarily authentic sound, top sound quality and fantastic dynamism.
In the “UC?” a total of six HARMAN Kardon® high-performance loudspeakers are controlled by a high-efficiency Class D amplifier with HARMAN output end stages. This amplifier achieves efficiency of over 90 percent compared with 35 to 50 percent in conventional models. One positive side-effect is the fact that cooling can be effectively done away with since almost no waste heat is given off. That’s why an optimized lightweight housing can be used instead of solid cooling elements, reducing the weight even further. HARMAN’s experts have chosen a discrete, space-saving position for the amplifier on the driver’s side, under the instrument panel. This means that there is no compromise in terms of the available luggage space.
HALOsonic™ - Synthetically Generated Sound Ensures Safety and Driving Pleasure
The electronically generated engine sounds are a revolutionary advanced feature of the “UC?”: two high-efficiency speakers specially developed for the exterior of the car are used to play back the dynamic engine sounds generated by the ESS algorithm. The choice of customer-specific sounds ranges from the classic combustion engine to attractive, futuristic sounds. Pedestrians, children at play or cyclists, who wouldn’t normally notice the almost silent “UC?” without the external ESS, can now be made aware that a car is approaching by means of synthetic “engine sounds”.
The synthesized electronic sounds increase driving pleasure inside the car and establish the familiar link for passengers between the tactile, visual and auditory driving experience.
The customer-specific internal sound is generated within the “UC?” by the HARMAN Kardon® GreenEdge® audio system, offering perfect integration without adding weight or requiring more space.