Cars are becoming rolling smartphones

Businessweek had an interesting article recently discussing how automakers are putting more and more technology into their vehicles.  I'm most familiar with Ford's Sync technology and I'm really impressed by it.  Not only does do the usual in-car functions such as voice navigation and 911 assistance, but it also essentially turns your phone and MP3 player into hands-free, voice activated devices.  So not only can you make and receive calls using the in-vehicle microphone and speakers, but the system will also read your texts messages to you and allow you to send certain generic reply texts using only voice commands.  You can also control your MP3 player with commands such as "Play Genre: Rock," "Play [Artist]," or "Play Track: [Song Title]."  


The best part about Sync, however, is that it's only a $400 option on new Ford vehicles. Ford reported that vehicles with Sync move twice as fast off their dealer lots and that non-Ford owners are three times as likely to consider the brand after viewing demonstrations of Sync. Also, used cars equipped with Sync, on average, sell for $200 more in auctions than those without it.  It's obvious that Ford is really dialed-in to what consumers are demanding in terms of connectivity features in their vehicles.

To read more about Sync click here.

Robots to the Rescue!

A company named Kiva Systems has developed robots that operate many warehouse functions currently performed by humans.  The company has combined three technologies - WiFi, digital cameras, and low-cost servers - into these robots which allows them to perform order fulfillment functions. The servers work in real-time, receiving orders, immediately dispatching robots to bring the required pods to the worker fulfilling the order, and then returning the pods to their storage locations. The robots receive their orders wirelessly, while using cameras to read navigational barcode stickers on the warehouse floor.

The techology has already proven very promising.  Kiva lists Walgreens, Gap and Zappos as some of their largest customers, with Walgreens planning to have 1,000 bots in its warehouses by next summer.  Zappos' Vice President of Fulfillment is quoted in the article as saying, "It's exceeded all of our expectations, doubling the productivity of our pickers and cutting our energy costs in half."  So not only are these robots more efficient than humans, but because they don't need air conditioning or much lighting, they also save on warehouse energy costs.  Maybe it's time we humans start watching our backs! 

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/apr2009/id20090415_876420.htm

HP looking to simplify IT

HP recently announced a new company-wide initiative dubbed Instant-On, which is an effort to package its hardware, software and consulting services that can be offered as a single purchase, instead of three or more purchases as it's currently done.  The effort is aimed at helping large enterprises reduce IT complexity and becoming more responsive to internal needs as well as the needs of their customers.  By integrating the work of its hardware, software and services divisions, HP says it can help companies navigate disruptive trends such as the influx of mobile devices and the introduction of cloud computing services.  This will, in effect, allow large enterprises to uses technology to provide better, faster service to their customers, even as business requirements and consumer expectations keep changing.  


HP's primary goal of this initiative is to reassure IT buyers that all the different divisions of HP are working toward a common goal of reducing complexity and simplifying management for IT teams.  If HP can successfully deliver on this promise, the instant-On initiative will be a sure hit with IT departments around the world.