This video, while not particularly techy, is the first of a three part series on technology in use at Ford. Leo Laporte, the host is a popular technology expert.
Toyota’s Continues to Broaden Aftermarket Support
June 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
At an Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) meeting held in April 2010 Tom Trisdale, an executive for Toyota Motor Sales USA, made a presentation called “Directions in Diagnostics”. The presentation, in PDF format, is available here.
Toyota provides some of the industry’s strongest aftermarket support through the Techstream Lite program covered in this post. In this presentation Tom explains how Toyota uses aggregated repair information, pulled from the “back end” of the Techstream tool to generate new diagnostic information.
The ability of Toyota to view the data pulled from the vehicle enhances and assists a technician’s diagnostic capability, Trisdale said. Personnel at Toyota can see what a vehicle’s DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes) are when a vehicle is connected, he said. “I can see what the tech saw,” he said, adding that it’s a real-time data view that’s integrated into Toyota’s back-end system.
Take to time to look at this presentation and you will see the big picture and it looks pretty good to me!
Techstream Lite – OEM J2534 Scan Tool Program
June 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Toyota just made it even easier for the aftermarket to scan their cars at OEM level. Their scanning system (Techstream) is now J2534 compliant. This means you no longer have to buy the $8,500 TIS Techstream system to scan a Toyota. All you need is a laptop, a J2534 device, and a subscription to Toyota’s diagnostic software.
Toyota recommends using the Drew Technology’s Mongoose cable as the J2534 device. This cable is about 1/3 the cost of a full J2534 box, but is dedicated for Toyota use. While the Toyota site recommends the Mongoose cable only, on the Drew Technology’s site they state that their full J2534 box (CarDAQ Plus) is compatible.
Toyota offers the diagnostic software at $995/year or as a short term subscription of $55/48 hours. This subscription includes PCM reprogramming capabilities.
To read more about Toyota’s diagnostic program visit techinfo.toyota.com.
Smart ForTwo Car to Offer iPhone Cradle
June 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The smart fortwo model will offer an iPhone cradle to allow an iPhone to be used as the car’s radio head. An app will also be available to push driving information and navigation to the iPhone screen. The full press release follows.
smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), is showcasing the smart drive app for the iPhone through an interactive exhibit at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Working with engineers at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. in Silicon Valley, smart is the first car brand to develop its own drive app. Together with an iPhone cradle that is specifically designed for smart, the smart drive app will turn the iPhone into a connected media and navigation hub for smart fortwo owners and enthusiasts.
Introduced at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the smart drive app makes urban mobility even easier and more fun – the objective of smart’s philosophy. Two new elements developed by smart make the two-seater car and the iPhone an ideal combination:
- The smart cradle for the iPhone with an integrated microphone and control unit serves as a stylish and functional holder, converting the lifestyle device into a multi-functional smart fortwo companion. It charges the iPhone and functions as a hands-free system using the smart’s built-in audio system for sound output and automatically muting it when phone calls are made. At the New York Auto Show, the cradle is shown in the smart fortwo BRABUS tailor made, a special concept car designed to resemble the iPhone’s color theme of black and chrome.
- The smart drive app for the iPhone combines all the features needed on the road in a single app with extra-large buttons and letters – hands-free phone calls, management of the phone’s music collection, internet radio and a clever navigation system with a special smart touch. It also features smart extras such as the Car Finder that will guide users back to wherever they parked their car.
Really smart – the clever app from smart
Listen to music, make phone calls and find destinations easily – the smart drive app for the iPhone makes city driving even easier and more pleasurable.
Media
Not only can users enjoy their entire personal music collection with the app, they can listen to thousands of radio stations and podcasts from around the world, thanks to an integrated web radio function. The ID Song function of the app enables users to obtain the title, artist, album and cover art of songs heard on the AM/FM or internet radio.Phone
The hands-free system and all important functions needed to make phone calls are automatically available as soon as the device is put in the smart cradle. Keypad, contacts, favorites, call lists and other phone functions are clearly arranged for simple in-car use.Map
The basic version of the app shows the vehicle’s position on a map of the area (“Follow-me maps”) and supports search for points of interest by using the on-board database or via Microsoft Bing. A navigation upgrade turns the device into a full navigation system without being online. In addition, the navigation service comes with real-time information on traffic conditions as well as fuel prices for nearby gas stations.Assist
With the Car Finder, the phone automatically remembers where users parked their car when it is removed from the cradle, and features Google 411, a free call to find and connect to a business. The app also uses the GPS function of the device for roadside assistance – the driver can give his or her precise position directly to the smart hotline.Cost and Availability
The smart drive kit for the iPhone will be available in the second quarter of 2010. The smart cradle will be available from smart dealers (pricing TBD), and the smart drive app can be downloaded from the iTunes app store for a one-time cost of $9.99. Consumers can purchase the navigation upgrade for a fee of $49.99 per year.
