R56 Mission Control
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, New York
Mission Control
From Motoring File
I actually think that's really cool. Depending on how good of a job they did on it do you think it could be just a simple plug in device? I like to try and install one if it doesn't turn out it is integrated into the whole car, I don't see how it would be with how electronic these cars are.
(The MINI Camden) will showcase a new technology Mini calls “Mission Control,” which allows the car to interact with the driver, sort of like a British version of Ford’s Sync. Three voices offer information about the car and its surroundings. There are up to 1,600 different statements, and it’s a standard feature on the Camden.
For example: If the driver hammers the engine on a cold morning too quickly, a voice may say “ouch, I’m not warmed up yet,” in the words of Jim McDowell, Mini USA vice president.
The voices can also offer congratulations for taking a curve with gusto–and plenty of g-force; or say something like “wow 4.5 seconds of full throttle,” after a lengthy launch.
It can also suggest the driver turn on the air conditioning if the program senses ambient temperatures are hot, or tell passengers to buckle up.
Mini, which is known for somewhat off-the-wall innovations–like the giant speedometer in the center of its dashboards or the gauge that tells you how long the roof has been open–also offers a common-sense option: the voices can be turned off.
For example: If the driver hammers the engine on a cold morning too quickly, a voice may say “ouch, I’m not warmed up yet,” in the words of Jim McDowell, Mini USA vice president.
The voices can also offer congratulations for taking a curve with gusto–and plenty of g-force; or say something like “wow 4.5 seconds of full throttle,” after a lengthy launch.
It can also suggest the driver turn on the air conditioning if the program senses ambient temperatures are hot, or tell passengers to buckle up.
Mini, which is known for somewhat off-the-wall innovations–like the giant speedometer in the center of its dashboards or the gauge that tells you how long the roof has been open–also offers a common-sense option: the voices can be turned off.
Wonder if "slow down A*(**( is in the 1600" 
Not sure I would want this except as a novelty item. I can imagine the voice conflicts between your GPS and Mission Control, one in female voice, the other in male tones.
Not a happy MINI.
Not sure I would want this except as a novelty item. I can imagine the voice conflicts between your GPS and Mission Control, one in female voice, the other in male tones.
Not a happy MINI.
Trending Topics
openometer?
Now a verbal lap timer, I could make good use of, but then the pressure would be to intense.It would probably say "can't you do better than a 2'51" on this track?"
Might be one of those things I use all the time at first, then it loses it novelty after awhile!
As long as you can turn it off its fine by me, if not its like riding with your ex wife, ex girlfriend or anyone else who is overbearing or wants to control you and how you drive.
Worse yet maybe this is the first step to the insurance companies (some of which already monitor some of there people) or the Govt telling us how we should drive. Orwell was right, seems big brother and a few others are watching!!!
Worse yet maybe this is the first step to the insurance companies (some of which already monitor some of there people) or the Govt telling us how we should drive. Orwell was right, seems big brother and a few others are watching!!!
It was the mission director's fault for giving HAL conflicting instructions. The only way to logically resolve them was if the crew was dead.
Why, yes, I AM a big geek, how did you tell?
I would get a grin if the car chatted with me ... and i'm actually glad to hear a little more about what exactly "Mission Control" is. I was afraid it was going to be some god-awful iDrive cr#$%.
Why, yes, I AM a big geek, how did you tell?
I would get a grin if the car chatted with me ... and i'm actually glad to hear a little more about what exactly "Mission Control" is. I was afraid it was going to be some god-awful iDrive cr#$%.
There are so many other things I'd rather see in the car....
FWIW, Mission control is deleted if you get the integrated NAV.
But really, this is just more BS window dressing. While the MotoringFile story says "like Ford's Sync", Sync is bi-directional, you get to talk back! And do voice control.
How about a real temp gauge standard? Oil Pressure Gauge standard? (really a must on a turbo car)...
How about dropping this and the price a couple hundred bucks?
When I read about this, I was "what are they smoking?"
Matt
But really, this is just more BS window dressing. While the MotoringFile story says "like Ford's Sync", Sync is bi-directional, you get to talk back! And do voice control.
How about a real temp gauge standard? Oil Pressure Gauge standard? (really a must on a turbo car)...
How about dropping this and the price a couple hundred bucks?
When I read about this, I was "what are they smoking?"
Matt
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
For example: If the driver hammers the engine on a cold morning too quickly, a voice may say “ouch, I’m not warmed up yet,” in the words of Jim McDowell, Mini USA vice president.
You folks want way to much! Get more coffee. 
A verbal feedback system is the way of the future, I prefer 'hang on, shut up and drive' as the primary response.
Perhaps it will tell you the temp of the MINI as you drive. "Wow, I'm hot".....
Get more coffee. A verbal feedback system is the way of the future, I prefer 'hang on, shut up and drive' as the primary response.
Perhaps it will tell you the temp of the MINI as you drive. "Wow, I'm hot".....
Sure....
voice function are the way of the future.... But so far, this doen't really help.
I love tech, I live tech, and I want tech, but I want tech that actually adds to the function and utility of the product...
"Boy, I'm hot!".... I can see me shouting back "effin car! How hot are you?" or "What do you expect, we just spent 20 min lapping on a race track!"
Seems to me, there's too much cute and not enough information here.... But details are few, and speculation plentifull....
And maybe this is just a step towards interactive voice stuff, fine. If this really is "sync" like functionality, even better. Sure could do a better job of describing it... As it is, this, for me, is a total waste of dev resources and would be "off" all the time. As described now, if it came on my car, I'd be pissed that I had to pay for it.
Matt
I love tech, I live tech, and I want tech, but I want tech that actually adds to the function and utility of the product...
"Boy, I'm hot!".... I can see me shouting back "effin car! How hot are you?" or "What do you expect, we just spent 20 min lapping on a race track!"
Seems to me, there's too much cute and not enough information here.... But details are few, and speculation plentifull....
And maybe this is just a step towards interactive voice stuff, fine. If this really is "sync" like functionality, even better. Sure could do a better job of describing it... As it is, this, for me, is a total waste of dev resources and would be "off" all the time. As described now, if it came on my car, I'd be pissed that I had to pay for it.
Matt
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
From: Bryan Texas
I can think of a few more to add to the 1600 statements the Hal unit should have.
"The GTI driver you just passed says you are number 1"
"An Audio 5000 has been detected behind you. Please beat the next yellow light"
A Ford Pinto Station Wagon is ahead of you. Please stop at the next green light"
"If we go any faster we will go back in time!"
"The GTI driver you just passed says you are number 1"
"An Audio 5000 has been detected behind you. Please beat the next yellow light"
A Ford Pinto Station Wagon is ahead of you. Please stop at the next green light"
"If we go any faster we will go back in time!"
"Slow down."
"Your're WAAAY too fast."
There's a curve ahead"
Why are downshifting so much"
"Do you think you a race car driver?"
"There's a cop ahead"
"Don't take those turns so fast"
"Do you drive like this when the keds are in the car"
"You're awfully close to that car ahead"
"See. I told you that you were going to fast. There's a cop behind with his lights on"
"Don't brake so hard."
"You're goin to fast and you're going to miss that turn."
"Turn the radio down"
"The AC is too cold"
"Can you turn the heat up"
"Roll up the windows"
"The sunroof is going to mess up my hair"
"If you buy a stick, I'll never get to drive it because I don;t like to drive a stick" [that was the idea]
Mission Control? An inovation? I've had my own personal 'Mission Control" since 1987 when I got married!
"Your're WAAAY too fast."
There's a curve ahead"
Why are downshifting so much"
"Do you think you a race car driver?"
"There's a cop ahead"
"Don't take those turns so fast"
"Do you drive like this when the keds are in the car"
"You're awfully close to that car ahead"
"See. I told you that you were going to fast. There's a cop behind with his lights on"
"Don't brake so hard."
"You're goin to fast and you're going to miss that turn."
"Turn the radio down"
"The AC is too cold"
"Can you turn the heat up"
"Roll up the windows"
"The sunroof is going to mess up my hair"
"If you buy a stick, I'll never get to drive it because I don;t like to drive a stick" [that was the idea]
Mission Control? An inovation? I've had my own personal 'Mission Control" since 1987 when I got married!