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Ford and Bug Labs Shipping OpenXC Beta Kits
MojoKid writes "OpenXC is an open source connectivity platform developed in tandem by Ford and open source hardware maker Bug Labs. Announced this fall, the platform is designed to allow developers the ability to use Android- and Arduino-based modules to interact with a vehicle's in-car tech, such as vehicle sensors and GPS units. The OpenXC website succinctly describes the platform as 'an API to your car.' Ford announced that OpenXC beta test kits are now shipping to developers worldwide, including U.S. institutions such as MIT and Standford as well as India's HCL Technologies."
It is funny that Ford was the first to start with what you call Eurotrash, and they were the only one who didn't go crying for a bailout. Maybe your opinion of what we should have for transportation is just that, your own. Yeah it is great for you but you've obviously never tried to park at my work. I have a Ford Focus and it is a tight fit.
Compensating for something, are we?
Really? What's magical about 8 cylinders?? Wouldn't you also prefer a well powered 10 over a turbo'd 8, and a well powered 12 over a turbo'd 10, and a well powered 16 over a turbo'd 12??
But for some reason you would look at turbo if you wanted to improve your well powered NA 8 cylinder.
And how do you define performance? in general I would think HP/Ton is a good indicator. Well, look at the Lotus Exige; 2000 pounds and 240 horses (in the supercharged version). There might be 1 or 2 American cars that can out accelerate it, but there aren't any that handle as well. Guess what engine is in the Exige?? A Toyota 1.8L 4 cylinder. Oh, and it gets 25MPG. Not Eurotrash. Not underpowered. Not meant for "some Third World country". I'd say American car companies could learn a thing or two from Lotus.
Just because you prefer muscle car style doesn't mean everyone prefers that. Some people prefer Formula1 styling. Some people prefer rally car styling. Some people just want a car that can hold their family, with moderate comfort, and a few groceries, while getting 40 MPG. And it's nice that all of these items are able to be purchased in the current market.
From what I've read, you want Detroit to produce a car that has a big engine and high fuel consumption. Doing that was a large part of why they needed to get bailed out in the first place. Gas is 3.50 a gallon and rising. That's not something people that are buying cars can afford anymore. You're getting power and economy. I'm not quite sure why you're complaining, exactly. I had an 8 Cylinder Taurus SHO, and now I have a 4 cylinder VW GTI. It is faster and gets better gas mileage. Why would you want to go backwards?