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."

Comments

Re:How about getting rid of the Eurotrash first?

[sethstorm]

I'm just calling out Ford for becoming an un-American manufacturer. The outside shape is very much like a bland saltine cracker, with the engine following suit by being some poky I-4 meant for some Third World country. To distract people from this unholy combination, Ford decides to slap on tons of interior electronics. Even the larger cars can be made fuel efficient, affordable, and provide the American engine growl under the hood that you won't get with some European golfcart.

Fuel efficiency is hardly an argument to make when one has to cut corners and put distractions in where one cut too close with golfcart designs like Ford's. Keep the design for US cars to US standards, not to some backwater that drags down the US.

Chrysler on the other hand, Gets It. GM does as well, aside from their Buick division.

So they were the first to hate Americans.

[sethstorm]

Yes, those cars are Eurotrash, especially given that they look and function much like the junk you see across Europe - and the rest of the 4-banger-and-satnav-world. Trying to diminish my argument does nothing when the evidence is out there to see - Ford makes Eurotrash, and all you have to argue about is the wording.

I have a pre-bailout, ~2 ton, no-turbo, 6-cylinder Aurora tyvm. I make no apologies as to its American-sized fuel consumption, nor do I support any tax increases or fees to make it harder to drive what I, a US citizen amongst many with a similar preference, truly want. At least Chrysler and GM are willing to make cars for the citizens that want US sized power that is affordable to all, without having to raid the depreciated luxury tier.

It'd be kind of nice if I didn't have some environmentalist from Aspen strongly advocating me to drive some Trabant with satnav while they drive an SUV convoy.