Integration of web 2.0 with automotive user interfaces via nomadic devices

Consumers are demanding Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in motor vehicles as they provide or improve safety, comfort, mobility and entertainment. The industry is meeting this demand with new car models, which include complex infotainment systems (connected to the Internet or not). Moreover, according to the Web 2.0 vision, the Internet is a platform rather than a mere source of information. The interfaces of Ajax-based applications are user friendly, and they allow storing personal information and preferences. Google Maps is a good example of this philosophy. Nowadays, it is a familiar tool in desktop computers to locate destinations and to plan routes at home. Systems like BMW assist [1] allow exporting Google Maps results, but they require a cellular data connection. We present the possibility of integrating Web 2.0 results with automotive user interfaces via nomadic devices. As a proof-of-concept, we describe an implementation that directly transfers addresses and routes from Google Maps to car navigation devices.