iPhone Remote Controlled Minivan – Like James Bond for the Soccer Mom

Remember watching that James Bond car chase where he jumps out of the car and drives it with his cell phone? Remember thinking to yourself, “yeah, sure, only in the movies”? Well, a German engineering team has created a remote just like that one. The team uses an iPhone instead of Bond’s Ericsson phone which is cool, and they use a minivan instead of a BMW 750IL, which is not as cool. It’s still pretty awesome. Sadly though, no rocket launchers.

The team developed its iDriver app to manage the highly modified “Spirit of Berlin” autonomous vehicle using WiFi and the smartphone’s controls. The unit’s accelerometer controls steering, accomplished at hand by turning the device, while screen buttons control braking and acceleration. The system also sends a live video stream of the road ahead to the iPhone screen.

Add a comment (None yet)