I thought I would give a quick review and recount of my first impressions of "Mission Control". My MINI Camden was delivered a little over a week ago and I've put about 400 miles on it. All the while I've had Mission Control as my co-pilot & "Coach". I'm not incredibly technically minded, so I'll leave the details as to how it works to someone else. It is my assumption that it ties into the car's computer and uses signals from that system to initiate spoken feedback through the audio system.

There are three personalities in Mission Control; "Coach", "Engine" and "Climate". They've been so talkative at times that my girlfriend has already named them - Coach Cathy (aka "Chatty Cathy"), Engine Edward and Climate Clyde.

Every time I start the car I am greeted by Coach. She usually has nice things to say, "Good Morning" (yes, the system know the time of day and coordinates greetings accordingly), or on one late night drive, "My, it's late to be driving". She also runs a system check at every start-up, including safety and engine temperature. In fact, Climate (who alse appears to be in charge of safety) has already retrained me to buckle my seat belt prior to hitting the ignition button instead of after (or "Cathy" becomes somewhat nagging). Funny how this has broken a decades old habit in a few days...

There are additional safety warnings, which are nice to have. If my wipers are on then the car will remind me to be careful with driving in wet conditions. The car will also provide feedback on fuel levels (usually at "quarters of a tank", though also at times for gallons - i.e. "you have 6 gallons of fuel remaining". And what is probably the nicest feature so far - Engine notifies me every time he reaches optimal operating temperature; "I'm all warmed up and ready to MINI!".

The only glaring issue I have with the system (and the one I'd like to turn off) is the messages for when cornering or making a quick manuever. These seem to be "trigger happy" and occur way too often. Turning left after being stopped at a stop light and getting a "Whoppee!!" is somewhat annoying. Or turning into a round-about and getting a "Let's MINI!" when only going 25mph seems a bit over bearing from the system. I would rather just hear these when I take a clover-leaf exit ramp at speed or something similar. It's a small gripe, but it's the flaw I've found so far...

So far, the system has rarely repeated itself. There seems to be an extensive library of "voice feedback" for similar messages, so it hasn't becoming tiring or repetitive. Every day I seem to get a few new messages or discover some new feedback for something I do (or the car does for me).

Overall, I am very satisfied with the system and it seems valuable, entertaining and definitely quirky. There have been times I would like to just momentarily mute it instead of turning it off (which is impossible to do from the drivers seat while in motion) and I would like to have the option to dial back or turn off certain, but not all, types of messages & warnings. (MINIUSA are you listening? I would be glad to give some more feedback.) I would give the system in its current configuration an 8.5 out of 10. It's more pleasant and better than expected for what I've heard termed a beta system that went into production.

 

I just decided to make a backup of the SD card. The Mission Control files are just MP3s, with 1,321 on the card entitled "MC2009". I'll be interested to see if they'll update this card through the year and if they'll add/change any of the files.

 

you could shurly hack the crap out of it! Make a SD card for when you lend out the car "Are you sure you should drive a borrowed car like such an idiot?"

Are they grouped by directories or does the system go by file name?

Matt

 

Good idea! I'm curious as to what the pricing to retrofit these will be, as it's something I'd really consider doing.

 

The MP3s appear to be chosen based upon name. There is no real file structure beyond naming conventions. It should not be difficult at all to substitute or customize messages.

 

Hm, it would have been nice if MINI would have enabled the Mission Control SD card slot for regular MP3-playing duties, too--I like how my dad's Audi plays music off SD.

 

I don't know if I want my MINI talking to me, it's an optionI can do without.

 

I hadnt heard of this option. Is it only in the Camden editions? It sounds really cool in concept and quite original/cutting edge. Im sure the novelty of it would wear out after a short time though.

 

I would quickly replace the "Whoppees" and "Let's MINI" with silent mp3 files.

 

Yea, having it comment after every turn would get annoying. However, if you substituted your own messages, it could be fun to spring on unsuspecting passengers. It would be fun to replace the comments with clips from songs, or clips from interviews or speeches by famous people. Having Obama's voice make some comment like, "We have to acknowledge the progress we made, but understand that we still have a long way to go." would be amusing.

For driving alone, you could use a different SD card with the annoying comments replaced by silence. Only leave the ones that provide useful info.

 

What's your intuition about how you'll feel after 4,000 miles? Or 40,000? I'd have to experience it for myself, but even though your review is positive, the descriptions don't make it seem appealing to me.

 

So you can get your mini to talk and tell you how long the top has been open, but no turbo boost gauge! Maybe I'm just old, but I don't get it.

 

It's called marketing.

 

 

It's entertaining and, for the most part, enjoyable now. I'll be surprised if I leave it on continuously for the next 40k miles, but the lone gripe I have (the trigger happy cornering message) is minimal in comparison to the beneficial notifications regarding engine temperature, fuel level and the quirky/cheeky greeting & good bye messages.

I don't have much desire to do much tweaking yet. I'll wait to see what other owners do and if anyone decides to create/publish their own tweaked memory card. I'm sure it is only a matter of time...

 

With a backup of the card, you could try erasing the MP3's that are played when cornering.

 

at the SF Auto Show (all the cars, none of the crowd). Sat in the new GTI. It has a REAL ANALOG temp gauge. If Mini is going to give us stuff like this, at least they could give as a temp gauge!

Matt

 

What fun could be had if you can simply substitute your own mp3 clips for the ones on the card.

I'd just need a couple hours with a computer, microphone, and a girl with a sexy British accent and a dirty mind!

 

The system "could" check the files size/hex codes to make sure they are original mini files so to "protect" it from security "hazards".

 

Why bother with the computer and microphone?

 

It could, but IMO, it would be foolish to go to the extra expense and complication.

 

The old Volvos from the 80's or 90's used to talk to you. Why did they decide to bring that back lol? Are they gonna have cassette decks next?

 

Would listening to all the clips on a computer take the fun away from hearing them one at a time when conditions cause them to be played?

Is the chip personalized to the owner with his build date, birthday, model, options, etc. mentioned in the sound clips?

The original poster was computer savy enough to make a backup card. I'm sure we'll soon know if it can be modified.

 

From the people who brought you I-Drive....

 

I just bought a used 2010 Camden about 6 hours ago and I already would like to disable the Mission Control feature. I saw a video showing a disable button inside the glove box, but mine does not have this. Where is the SD card located as I will gladly pull the plug on this feature. Thanks for any assistance?