Parrot RNB 6 infotainment system aims to make any car smart
I do miss having a car and, even when I was driving around in my 1971 VW Karmann Ghia, I had plans to hide a clever in-car entertainment (ICE) system in it. Should I take the plunge and buy another motor I think I would like to have Parrot’s newly announced RNB 6.
Announced at CES 2015, this new system from Parrot is currently named RNB 6 but I dare say that this will probably be changed before it hits the shelves.
It’s powered by Android 5.0 Lollipop, but offers complete compatibility with both Google Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. So, whether you favour an Android phone or an iOS device you’ll be covered – Just connect your phone, push a button, and all your apps are pushed to the dashboard, where you can interact with them using voice controls.
Equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen, the RNB 6 is a 2-DIN infotainment system (180 x 100mm in size) meaning that it should integrate easily into many models of car that can take a double-DIN sized CD player. It’s also half the weight and thickness of most 2-DIN systems, according to Parrot. The company says the new system is compatible with 90% of the cars on the road today.
The system’s sensors and connectors give the user access to a range of services and features, including navigation, hands-free phone calls and voice-controlled apps, music, radio and satnav. It can also access on-board vehicle diagnostics (via your car’s OBD port) and display info such as tyre pressure in real-time as well as being able to provide a detailed readout on your recent petrol mileage and driving habits. If you get a check engine light, the system will be able to tell you what’s wrong, so you can scope out how much the repair should cost before you get to the mechanic.
Finally, the RNB 6 works with a dashboard-mounted road safety camera that automatically films the road ahead and saves footage to flash memory.
The Parrot RNB 6 will be launched later in 2015, with the price and name yet to be confirmed.
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