Cadillac's CUE Set To Redefine In-Vehicle Technology
In-vehicle technology, dubbed "infotainment" systems, have come a long way since the CD player of the late 1980s and early 90s. Cadillac's latest advancement called CUE- Cadillac User Experience- will debut in the upcoming ATS and XTS sedans in 2012 and change the way drivers interact with their vehicle.
Cadillac says CUE is "a comprehensive in-vehicle experience that merges intuitive design with auto industry-first controls and commands for information and entertainment data." Simply, CUE takes many available technologies in our life, like touch-sensitive smartphones, voice recognition, digital music systems, GPS technology, and text messaging, and integrates them all into one personalized, connected system in the vehicle.
GM's OnStar system in currently available in all models and was once at the forefront of in-vehicle communication and safety systems. It allowed a car to link the many computers and sensors in the vehicle to a remote location monitored by personnel to assist the driver in case of an emergency or unfortunate incident like locking keys in the car. It also allows drivers to obtain directions and even make phone calls without a cell phone. CUE takes OnStar technology to the next level by integrating it with nearly every other technology in your car, such as the GPS navigation system, multi-information displays, cell phone connectivity, and advanced audio systems.
This concept is not entirely new. A New York Times article quoted AT&T as saying five percent of cars are "connected," but in three to five years that number will be 100%. If you research vehicles today, most offer some sort of navigation system, bluetooth, and iPod connectivity as options, but Cadillac's CUE will take it all to the next level by reducing button clutter and simplifying use by adding customization options, multi-touch hand gestures, proximity sensing, haptic feedback (pulse feedback), natural voice speech recognition, and 3.5 times faster processing.
These features are now only found on small personal devices such as an iPhone or iPad, but will now be used in upcoming Cadillacs. The system will not replace the need for your iPod or smartphone, rather it will seamlessly integrate them by channeling their information while concealing them in a hideaway compartment.
Of course, the popular existing OnStar features will be integrated into CUE, as well as adding the ability to stream internet radio, traffic information, and weather maps with Doppler radar. One of the sure to be popular advancements will be the ability to read off incoming text messages and respond with preset responses.