OnStar and Verizon Trick Out Buick LaCrosse with 4G LTE Modem

At the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), OnStar and Verizon have joined forces to demonstrate the “future of in-vehicle entertainment.” By their powers combined, they’ve shown what could be possible by dropping a high-speed Internet connection into a car:

  • Vehicle Monitoring – Parked in a bad neighborhood? Monitor what’s going on with your ride from your smartphone or PC.
  • Impact Detection – You’re in the club and someone just hit your car in the parking lot. You know this because your car sent you a video of the offender.
  • Voice Portal – Call up YouTube, Twitter, Wikipedia, and music via Verizon VCAST on your in-vehicle display. Watch the road, though.
  • Home monitoring and control – Forgot to turn off the AC? No need to turn around, do it from your car. Check the security cameras when away as well.
  • Video chat – Oh, you thought you were doing it big using your car as a bluetooth headset? Wait until you can do video. Watch the road!

“The true broadband speed of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network gives our engineers the freedom to re-imagine the world of connected in-vehicle services of the future,” said OnStar President Chris Preuss. “While we haven’t decided yet which of these demonstration features OnStar will offer, or when, these prototype applications show just some of what’s possible when we combine our 15 years experience in developing safe secure and leading edge connected mobility solutions with the speed and agility of Verizon Wireless’s 4G LTE network. Any new future services OnStar might offer will meet our high standards for safety – making sure that drivers’ hands are on the wheel and their eyes are on the road.”

Catch OnStar’s Buick LaCrosse research vehicle  from Jan 6th through the 9th in Verizon Wireless’ CES booth (#35216 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center). Check out the video below for a sneak peek.

via Autoblog