INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
One of the most interesting trends in the automotive industry has to do with third-party add-ons
Modders have added new exhaust systems, hoods, and spoilers for years (even decades), but a new crop of tech mods have slowly cropped up,
including rear-view cameras and speakerphones
Recently, I tested one of the best recent tech accessories around, called the Amazon Echo Auto, and for just $30 (it's currently only
available in the US) it’s a smart upgrade.We’re not talking about sensors that suddenly provide automated driving features or robotic
features, although maybe that will happen eventually
I tested the Echo Auto with a 2020 Nissan Versa that costs $14,730 (about £11,000, AU$22,000) on its own.The Versa offers a Bluetooth
connection, basic lane-keeping, and excellent gas mileage for a reasonable price, but adding the Echo Auto provided a host of driving aids
that surprised me in their simplicity and usefulness.Easy setupConnecting the device is ultra-simple
You can sync over Bluetooth to your phone first, then connect the Echo Auto to the car stereo using Bluetooth or the included 3.5mm cable.I
chose the cable just to keep things easy
The Echo Auto then attaches to the car vent using an included mount
When you need to access the device, you say 'Alexa' and then ask your question or issue your command
The sound played over the Nissan Versa's stereo.(Image credit: Nissan)I immediately tried a few basic functions
I asked for directions, and – because I used an Apple iPhone 11 Pro – the Echo Auto sent me a prompt on my phone to initiate the
I asked a passenger to accept the notification
I could have used the navigation built-in to the Versa of course, but I prefer using voice
With an Android phone, you don’t have to acknowledge the prompt and Google Maps will start working on its own.Using Apple Maps with an
iPhone was just as easy after accepting the prompt, although you don’t see the route and there is no map
(The Echo Auto only provides audio; it doesn't sync to the display in the car.)(Image credit: Nissan)I was mostly interested in other
functions, I asked Alexa to play a recent podcast from Freakonomics Radio and it worked perfectly
Later, when I jumped back in the car, I asked Alexa to resume that same episode and that also worked
I tested music playback as well, asked about the weather, and even did some research by asking Alexa some questions
(I asked about when 3D printers were invented and it provided some nice info.)Next, I decided to ask about the closest gas stations to my
I was surprised that it worked
When Alexa reminded me that I could ask about phone numbers, it dawned on me that the device is also a great speakerphone for phone calls
I called my wife by asking Alexa to dial the Amazon Show speaker I have at home and that worked
Someday, we’ll be able to make a video call and turn the car over to the bot, but (for now) only voice calls work.Your smart co-driverI
could see where this will help in the future
Adding Alexa meant I was able to focus on driving more and didn’t ever fiddle with the radio
I could carry on an entire conversation.Someday, we’ll be able to ask Alexa to drive the car or to stop, let us out, and go pick up
We’ll stay in contact with Alexa using our phone
It might seem far-fetched, but we’ll use bots more and more when they can do things for us that we don’t want to do.(Image credit:
Nissan)As a way to augment features on the economically priced Nissan Versa, the Echo Auto was a smart and low-cost alternative
Some vehicles, mostly from Ford, work with Alexa on their own without adding any other products
For this test, I was happy Alexa came along for the ride.On The Road is TheIndianSubcontinent's regular look at the futuristic tech in
John Brandon, a journalist who's been writing about cars for 12 years, puts a new car and its cutting-edge tech through the paces every week
One goal: To find out which new technologies will lead us to fully self-driving cars.fxVPVyZd9mt2bEVXcTm467.jpg?#
