Audi cars will get game-quality graphics

Nvidia Corp. and Audi AG have developed a navigation system that displays Google Earth images. Nvidia, based in Santa Clara, Calif., is known for providing computer chips that generate the realistic images in video games. And now, it has brought the same technology to the car.

This is certainly a first for the industry. Last month at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nvidia and Audi demonstrated the technology on an Audi Q7 crossover. It’s amazing how with this navigation system, you can seemingly drive through a photograph of the streets.
Read Article

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/4/2010 3:01:34 PM

0 Boost

Great, they need to loose the cheap looking pop-up monitor though.

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/4/2010 3:03:14 PM

+3 Boost

Rats, Loose=lose

0to60 - 2/4/2010 4:23:57 PM

0 Boost

glad you caught that cuz everyone makes that mistake and it bothers me!!!

Joe_Limon - 2/4/2010 3:13:42 PM

+5 Boost

Great step forward, hopefully the graphics card isn't vibration sensitive. Also, why did it take so long? This seems like such a straight forward logical move haha.

pennfootball - 2/4/2010 4:10:37 PM

+4 Boost

Joe the older chips used too much power for a 14/12V electrical system. Now they finally have chips that are powerful but use less juice.

gkearns56 - 2/4/2010 3:41:17 PM

+4 Boost

I think I'd prefer the pop up nav systems. It beats those ugly humps or the second looking dash boards like you see in the Benz E car. There's one where the gauges are and also one for the nav area; just looks too busy. I like a cleaner look. Hopefully this one will be easier to use than my current one.

JustaCar - 2/4/2010 5:38:11 PM

0 Boost

The pop-up screen is redundant once you've programmed your navigation destination. The main instrument cluster has a large screen between the gauges that displays navigation instructions along with other info. This is true for current Audis but the 2011 A8 takes it to another level. The pop-up screen screen can remain tucked away most of the time, except for those who like the entertainment value.

tom43 - 2/4/2010 3:49:45 PM

-3 Boost

Sorry, Audi. Nice nav-system, but a 8-inch screen is not really impressive in a 2010 top-class car! Hope to see a competitive screen in the next version...

pennfootball - 2/4/2010 4:11:38 PM

-2 Boost

What cars have bigger then 8 inch screens besides the BMW 7 series?

tom43 - 2/4/2010 6:07:22 PM

+2 Boost

Right, the BMW 7-series (10.2 inch), but also the 5-series (10.2 inch), the X1, X3, X5, X6, 3-series, 6-series and even 1-series (all 8.8 inch; display size introduced in 2001 !). All the other competitors are older and use an equal size since years (e.g. S-class and LS; 8 inch).

VISO - 2/5/2010 12:50:36 AM

0 Boost

And what is so impressive about BMW's screen and graphics? Nothing!

koobah - 2/4/2010 3:55:26 PM

+5 Boost

Wasn't aware that the Q7 school bus is a "crossover"

LexSucks - 2/4/2010 4:46:19 PM

-2 Boost

And this from a company that resisted for years to put a NAV system with a map on thier US market vehicles. Good work Audi!

Now stop making your cars so damn expensive, soft and underpowered(in its price range) and I may come back and purchase another one. While were at it; change the interior design (they all look the same), Move the A4's engine behind the front axle, Offer more agressive wheel designs, and make the A4/S4 look less generic.

rxh8me9000 - 2/4/2010 6:23:15 PM

+1 Boost

I agree with you. I do not understand why the cars are underpowered for the price and compared to the competition. The A5 when it first came out looked amazing.Now from far away I wouldn't be able to tell any of them from each other.

LexSucks - 2/4/2010 4:48:30 PM

0 Boost

"It’s amazing how with this navigation system, you can seemingly drive through a photograph of the streets."

- Every Smartphone with Google maps loaded on it already does that. I've been using mine for over 2 years now.

LuxuryFan - 2/6/2010 4:40:58 PM

+1 Boost

With all of the advancements in design and technology, can we eventually see thinner LCD monitors in these luxury cabins? I had to laugh when someone called the Cadillac XTS's monolithic slabs 'an exercise in intelligence'.