Sydney: The Holden subsidiary of General Motors has introduced a new smartphone app that can soon replace the keys for your family car.
Micky Bly, the man behind GM``s Chevrolet Volt electric car program says Holden``s iQ infotainment system introduced to the Series II Commodore last year is the first step in the roll-out of much smarter, more user-friendly systems in GM``s global vehicle range, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
However, the Commodore``s system is only a half step towards what will be a new class of in-car infotainment systems that will be easier to use and more in tune with what owners want.
According to Bly, we can expect to see much more integration between smartphones and cars such as the locally made Commodore range and Cruze.
"It can be [Androids], it can be iPhones, it can be Blackberrys, it can be any of the devices out there.
"What we have done by using OnStar [GM``s in-vehicle security, communications, and diagnostics system] ... we``ve been able to take that interface and do really amazing things outside the vehicle.
"For instance, we can log on here and see my Volt. I can actually go back and see my car while I``m here in Australia — I can see it at the airport. I can tell it to start charging, or when to charge off. I can start the car, honk the horn, unlock the doors, lock the doors...
Owners can also log on to OnStar``s website and control car functions via an internet browser.
The system, which was only available on the Commodore and long-wheelbase Statesman and Caprice range, will even allow police to send a signal to a car to stop its engine if needed.
ANI
