Cadillac to Release CUE Technology in 2012 after 4 Years of Development

The 2012 Cadillac XTS will be the opening ground for the release of Cadillac User Experience (CUE) system which is an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) and navigation system. The system works on a triple core ARM 11 processor with an eight-inch touch screen and a cluster display. The cluster display of 12.3 inch is optional and other facilities of the CUE system is the ability to sense proximity, voice recognition of any language, and the popular open application development arena.

Cadillac began its work on the CUE system 4 years back and 2012 will see its release. The company aims to begin its set up in ATS luxury sedans and SRX luxury crossovers and then will be found in other Cadillac models too. Cadillac CUE system is based on LINUX and is not complaint with Genivi Alliance’s specifications. The system runs on the older version of ARM11 architecture when the other similar systems in the market are using Intel Atom, Cortex-A8 and A9 systems. The Cadillac CUE works on a secret chip and has been known to have three cores. The processor used in the system is 3.5 fold faster than the normal speed of consoles.

Cadillac CUE system can intake voice data and therefore two of the cores handle the voice processing function. The third core is then evaluated to be a digital signal processor, even though this configuration is not confirmed. The system is exposed through a touch screen of eight inches fixed onto the dashboard of the vehicle. The screen has been reported to be of 24-bit color and has been manufactured to face up to -40deg F temperature. The system is inbuilt with Bluetooth 3.0 and can connect up to 10 Bluetooth devices. It also has additional USB ports, SD card slot and even an MP3 player facility.

The navigation can be done on board and even weather details can be provided by the system. The messages and emails that arrive on the Bluetooth connected device can be viewed from the system. The system has AM/FM and XM radio integration and BluRay entertainment system in the name of adding enough of entertainment to the drive. The whole Cadillac CUE system is customizable whereby the user can increase the size of the information displayed, relocate the icons, and many other options. The hardware buttons include two buttons and a direction pad and they will be available on the steering wheel too making control and manipulation easier for the driver.

The screen is fully touch enabled and can be used through tap, flick, swipe and even spread movements making it easier to scroll, zoom and search through the system. With the proximity sensor, the icons pop up when the user’s hands reach near the screen. The speech recognition enables the conversion of text-to-speech and speech-to-text for more usability. The user can configure his favorites by which up to 60 items can be ordered according to priority and can be easily accessed from the bottom of the screen. The top of the screen displays the icons of the last used functions.

Cadillac CUE will be the perfect gift for a techie giving entertainment, communication, navigation and access all at the fingertips while on the drive. 

Nissan Launches 'Leaf' - Runs on Electric Power

 The stress in pollution free vehicles is on the rise. But car manufacturers have not been able to give a proper answer to how successful they have become in reducing the pollution caused by vehicles. Zero pollution is just not possible with petrol or diesel as fuel. using batteries is not that a very pleasing way. Reva and other battery fuelled cars failed to make their presence in the market.

To overcome all this, Nissan has come up with their

 electric car, The Leaf. Researches have been conducted and it has been proved that the car run a 200km on a full charge. Leaf is a 5 seater hunchback model car. Test runs in America have proven its mileage to be 160 km on a a full recharge.

US and Japan has decided to allow for a subsidy on electric cars. The current rate of Leaf has been reported to be $2500 in the US.  The Leaf was released last week in the Nissan headquarters . The car will reach the US and Japan markets this month itself. The booking has crossed 30,000 already. Over 2000 charging stations and 200 extra speed charging stations have been set up in Japan. 80% of the charging can be done within half an hour at the extra speed charging stations. The car also gives information on how much of charge is remaining and how many kilometres it can run with the balance charge.

Nissan and Reno has joined hands to increase the electric car market.