Six Breakthrough Gadgets of the Last Six Months

Batteries are arguably behind most of it: considering we're now at the point where a car powered by battery packs is a viable consumer option, it's no surprise that dashboard tech and the gadgets we take into or leave in our vehicles have become incredibly sophisticated. Even in the last six months, there have been some interesting developments – some more high tech than others, but all interesting nonetheless.

Ryan Jones from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts investigates:

In-Car Camera Systems

Up until recently there haven't been many reasons to set up a forward-facing camera on your dashboard. I mean, unless you're interested in thousands of hours of stock footage of asphalt, running a camera in the hope that you'll catch a crash moment seems a little paranoid. Even with Full-HD options on the market (such as the CB-100HD from ChilliBongo), the real innovation is in how the latest systems are being marketed: car insurers have promised to drop premiums for anyone with an in-car camera system. Of course, having video evidence of your driving may not actually be so beneficial if acrash is your fault. But for anyone with a clean conscience, these kits may payfor themselves in time.

Audi's Mileage Tracker App

Some nice lateral thinking from someone inAudi's marketing team here: business people, whether they drive Audis or not,like to track expenses. This free app gets the brand into your hands by using GPS to calculate your expenses, presumably meaning that you'll shower Audi with cash eventually because the brand hasn't left your conscience. Regardless, this is a neat idea for anyone who likes to be accurate and transparent in their business dealings.

GripStick Smartphone Holders

Smartphones are the weapon of choice for even those who are mostly apathetic to gadgets, but they're something of an expensive liability. Worse still, unless you have one of the three or four biggest models of the year, finding accessories that actually fit your phonecan be difficult. Proporta's GripStick dashboard mounts are a nice solution –simply a sticky surface you can place you phone on (even in its case) and drive off, and they only cost five quid.

Breathalysers

Breathalysers are hardly a fantastic new emerging technology that early adopters will rush to, but they've suddenly become a revenue boon for motoring retailers. Why? The French government now requires all motorists to carry one. The law came into effect on July 1st, and though there is a four month grace period for foreign motorists, plenty of Channel-crossing Brits are scrambling to comply.

The law isn't the most effective piece of legislation – fines are a hardly lofty €11 and you can get away with carrying a one-use Breathalyser that you never actually use (which will cost around a fiver). However, multi-use Breathalysers aren't massively expensive and it's not like these devices are entirely useless. Drunk driving charges aren't pretty, and you never know when your body is going to decide to give up its commitment to normal alcoholic metabolism and land you in trouble.

Zipcar Hire Scheme

Zipcar is a car-sharing service (new in the UK, but tried and tested in the US) where you reserve a car, unlock, drive off, complete your journey and return it to a zip-car parking space. You have responsibilities to keep things clean, fuelled and to return on time, but it could replace a household vehicle or two. The gadgetry angle on this one comes with an iPhone app that facilitates booking and unlocking of the vehicle. Oh, and there are 10 Vauxhall Amperas available in London, if you've ever wondered what driving an all-electric vehicle is like.

Double Height DAB Car Stereos

2012 has brought the axe down on the aging neck of terrestrial television, public demand for many more channels and television provision sealing the fate of the technology. Digital radio meanwhile, has the problem that listeners are well served by the existing range of stations and also that manufacturers have been slow to create DAB technology that works well in a moving car.

Recently, that has changed and Kenwood's DNX 4210 DAB Stereo is the first in the initial wave of double-height stereos.This means a full multimedia system with navigation, a 6.1 inch screen and ofcourse, DAB radio. An iOS control app can also be downloaded to control the system via stereo. JVC have released a similar unit, the KW-DB60.

NVC's writers regularly cover tech news. Be sure to check out the Nationwide Vehicle Contracts Blog if you have some spare time after your daily visit to carsession!

Tags: breathalyser, car sharing, car stereo, in car camera, mileage tracker app, smartphone holder

Added in Miscellaneous, Gadgets