Yesterday, Automatic was unveiled for the world to see. This is set out to be your smart driving assistant as a link accessory working with the app to make you a better driver. Here’s how it works: you plug the Automatic link (the only hardware needed) into your vehicle’s Onboard Diagnostic port (inside cars for the past 17 years) and it populates data using your iPhone’s data + GPS to provide details on where to improve. But that’s just the beginning.
Automatic will alerts you with DINGs whenever you brake hard, speed, or rapid acceleration. These things can attribute to lower MPG along with gradual wear-and-tear on your vehicle. The app offers a trip timeline to see exactly where you could improve and display the loss of MPG along with a weekly driving score to set a bar for improvement.
There’s more to Automatic than just making you less like a mad person. It has a built-in crash alert that automatically calls 911 in any type of collision. It displays engine trouble like when you get the Check Engine lamp lit, it can translate what the actual problem is. Good to hear since its already using the vehicle’s diagnostic systems. And finally you can use to app to track down your vehicle in case you forgot where you parked. This can come in handy when you are in a giant parking garage and long a very long day.
You can pre-order yours here for only $69.95 w/ no additional monthly cost as it begins to ship in May for the iphone 4S/5. Automatic plans to launch for Android some time in the fall. Check out the demo video below to see Automatic at work.
Automatic via FastCompany
