The world is obsessed with the ideas of driverless cars and flying cars, but how close are those cars to reality? The Monkeys have rounded up a few of their favorite auto related technologies to ramp up your cars in the meantime.
Mojio has one idea in mind: make your car like your smartphone. The Mojio is simple, aware, and transparent. The device can help you make informed decisions to keep your car as healthy and as safe as possible. Mojio helps improve gas mileage and driving costs. It even allows you to view detailed diagnostic reports, like an in-pocket mechanic. Even better, it will send you traffic updates, coordinate ridesharing, and best of all, it can find parking and nearby gas stations. If you’re a worrier, you can keep track of your car remotely and seamlessly. All you have to do is plug it into your OBD-II port and download the corresponding apps. The initial purchase of Mojio retails at $149 and includes the first year of service. After the first year, service is $4.99/month.
Vinli turns your car into a WiFi hotspot with built in 4G LTE. Vinli is advertised as your onboard safety net. eCall will alert your loved ones when a crash has been detected while Roadside Assistance will send help when you have a flat tire or dead battery. Vinli also connects to a wide range of apps like Dash, Lock & Key, and Otto in order to tailor your experience to fit your needs. Like the Mojio, Vinli fits into your OBD-II port under your dash. Vinli can be preordered for $99. While the retail price is set for $149. Data packages are pre-paid through T-Mobile and range from $5.99 to $40.
iOnRoad isn’t actually a device, it’s an app. This little app is equipped with collision warning, headway monitoring, off road warning, a car locator, video recording, and an easy dialer. The app improves your driving using your smartphone’s camera. Simply mount the phone below your rearview mirror and watch and listen for the audiovisual alerts to pour in while you drive. You may choose between different views: one in which the viewfinder is enabled and one in which the viewfinder is hidden. When the viewfinder is hidden, shortcut buttons are enlarged, including a button that shows the distance between you and the car ahead of you. When setting up your phone on the dash, make sure your car’s hood is not in the viewfinder as this affects the way the app works. The app retails for $4.99.
Have any other gadgets to help make those old cars smarter? Let us know in the comments below!