2012 Technology of the Year Finalists Announced

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   Cadillac CUE

  Telematics

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  Cadillac CUE, offered this year in the XTS, ATS and SRX, is comprised of an 8-inch touchscreen, voice control, three USB jacks plus an SD slot. The scarcity of actual buttons is striking. The LCD display icons in the instrument panel can be moved around, with favorites promoted to the top row, and non-favorites reduced or removed. The CUE system has been a breakthrough for ease of use. GM engineers distinguished themselves by delivering a refined system for controlling the car and integrating a smartphone that is a leader in simplicity and ease of use. READ MORE »

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   Audi connect

  Telematics

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  Audi connect was not new for 2012, but the addition of Google Earth imaging into the system was, and it is an upgrade that was met with nearly unanimous votes from the Technology of the Year judges. The Google Maps integration allows the driver to see high resolution, 3-D terrain and aerial images of routes. The onboard navigation system combines 3-D terrain models with a detailed street network as it seamlessly calculates routes. READ MORE »

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   Chrysler Uconnect

  Connectivity

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  The new generation of Uconnect arrived in the 2013 Ram 1500, and marked a major upgrade to a good system. Uconnect offers one-button emergency assistance, voice-controlled texting, the ability to monitor a vehicle’s performance, and an iPhone app that allows locked doors to be opened when keys are locked inside. There is also an on-demand wireless hot-spot. The Bing-powered interface is voice-activated and helps find points of interest, specific destinations, restaurants, gas, etc.
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   Ford MyFord Mobile

  Connectivity

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  With the Ford Focus EV, the MyFord Mobile app also allows the driver to view the EV’s remaining battery charge, control charging (this may be set to charge during the cheapest hours), remotely operate and set timers for the climate control, plan trips that get sent to the navigation system, and find charging stations. It’s a great companion to one’s vehicle, and managing its care and life. READ MORE »

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   Nissan Tire Pressure Alert & Refill

  Active Safety

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  When Nissan redesigned the Altima sedan, it took on the task of reinventing what most automakers have taken for granted as a government-required commodity. Not only does the system tell drivers specifically which tire on the car is low and in need of air—a breakthrough compared with most vehicles that just indicates one of the four tires is low—but when the tires are being inflated, the car horn gives off a quick burst when the tire has arrived at the proper air pressure. READ MORE »

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   Honda LaneWatch™

  Active Safety

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  Lane monitors that alert drivers when they are drifting have been around for a few years, but Honda really took it to a new level with its LaneWatch™ system. A tiny camera on the passenger side mirror can be manually or automatically activated when the right turn indicator is engaged. Live video then displays what would normally be a blind-spot on the i-MID screen, and it provides a view nearly four times greater than using the passenger side mirror alone. READ MORE »

Your vote is important. We will be announcing the winner of the 2012 Technology of the Year Award at the Consumer Electronics Show on January 9th, 2013.