“Infotainment Systems” In Cars Portend Safety, Privacy, And Competition Issues

The infotainment systems in modern cars are becoming more sophisticated and more complex.  David Brown ponders and what could be the down side.

One of the concerns about modern infotainment systems is that they now provide information that can be distracting.

Tesla recently announced an “upgrade,” which would allow users to watch Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube but it is only when it is parked, at the moment.

But this new Telsa system removes some older technology namely AM/FM radio stations.

Brock Long the former administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the US is concern because AM/FM radio reach places that television and broadband do not, and the government invested tens of millions of dollars to ensure radio stations can remain on the air during periods of widespread threat to the public – including the current one.

Motoring Minutes are heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio networkMotoring Minutes have an average daily audience of over 150,000 listeners. Motoring Minutes are also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program, which is broadcast through the Community Radio Network across Australia and has a weekly audience of over 450,000. 

About David Brown 607 Articles
David’s boyhood passion for motor cars did not immediately lead to a professional role in the motor industry. A qualified Civil Engineer he specialised in traffic engineering and transport planning. What followed were various positions including being seconded to a government think-tank for the planning of transport firstly in Sydney and then for the whole of NSW. After working with the NRMA and as a consultant he moved to being an independent writer and commentator on the broader areas of transport and the more specific areas of the cars we drive. His half hour motoring program “Overdrive” has been described as an “informed, humorous and irreverent look at motoring and transport from Australia and overseas”. It is heard on 22 stations across Australia. He does weekly interviews with several ABC radio stations and is also heard on commercial radio in Sydney. David has written for metropolitan and regional newspapers and has presented regular segments on metropolitan and regional television stations. David is also a contributor for AnyAuto