New Infotainment Options to Ease Road Rage

Manufacturers are looking at new ways of combining infotainment features in cars so that drivers can use time spent in a traffic jam more effectively.

Car parts supplier Siemens VDO is presenting systems linking the mobile phone, MP3 Player or mobile Internet with vehicles' onboard computers at the Frankfurt Motor Show from September 13 to 23.

The features enable drivers to call up and answer emails or simply choose entertainment.

External infotainment systems are linked to the car's onboard computer via a Bluetooth connection or USB sockets. The driver operates the system from the steering wheel.

BMW said it was working on a personalized radio function that would enable drivers to receive a vast array of radio programs from all parts of the world.

Part of the vision involves bringing together content – such as news bulletins, sports programs and audio books – and mixing it with the driver's choice of music to create a personal radio program that is accessible anytime, anywhere.

The effort is expected to alleviate the frustration drivers often feel in rush-hour traffic.