Jambe
Elio Addict
Here are two posts made by Grant Inscoe regarding the SkyzMatic option--portions of which have been posted above.
"Grant Inscoe Response from Skyz to the list of questions above: "As far as answering your questions, you have my first response as to "Why did we start with the Apple products?". The other important consideration was the ability to lock the iPad mini into the dash with a built-in charger connection that charges the iPad mini while driving the Elio. With the huge range of sizes and shapes of Android devices, it is hard to design a universal Android docking station with charging capabilities in the Elio dash. Elio Motors and Infinite Skyz are committed to safety for the Elio drivers, so the Apple and Android devices need to be secured within the Elio such that the devices do not go flying when the drivers hit the brakes or if they are involved in an accident.
FYI, the SkyzMatic system communicates with Apple, Android, and Microsoft devices. Infinite Skyz will develop the apps to interface the Elio with Android and Microsoft devices after production starts in 2015.
Future Elio owners will not be impacted by the SkyzMatic system. It is an option only that is not forced on future Elio owners who plan to purchase their Elio for $6,800.
If the SkyzMatic system is purchased as an option, there will be no other charges from Elio Motors and Infinite Skyz. There will be monthly cellular charges for cell services from a service provider if cell services are selected by the Elio owners."
Thanks, Grant!
Elizabeth
"Grant Inscoe I'll add a couple of thoughts more to address some of the other posts here about wanting the car to be simple, not wanting any computers at all and wanting a simple ODBII option... Cars have had computer control systems in them since the late '70s. This became mainstream across all manufacturers in the 80's. Not only do the safety features that many us enjoy such as traction control, stability control, air bags and anti-lock brakes require a computer, but so do the systems that allow for better fuel efficiencies like as electronic fuel injection. The Elio is going to have an ODBII connector just like all cars do today and when and if you have to get the car's emissions inspected the attendant is going to plug a cable under the dash just as they do today. It's my understanding that OBDII is just a connector and protocol that will, in this case, be implemented over the version of CAN that Elio will use. The Skyzmatic system does nothing more than make the CAN bus communications in the car extensible to a driver information touchscreen (a.k.a. an iPAD) and to the Internet. There are a range of features that this system will provide for some of us that will make vehicle maintenance and monitoring highly available via a web browser. It will also allow for features like remote start over and remote camera viewing over the Internet. Imagine being able to use the camera to help find your car in a parking lot, using it to solve a crime, or using recorded video to dispute false claims after an accident. I can understand the resistance of those like me (believe it or not) that enjoy the simplicity of WWII era carbureted technology, but I'll bet that many of you, also like me, have replaced your points based ignition system with an electronic ignition system! Come on now, tell the truth...!!! OK, this has been a load of fun and I appreciate all of the comments and participation. I also know that many are afraid of having their expectations dashed because they were either set too high, or because there is some possibility that the price is too good to be true and the hipsters are going to ruin everything by encouraging Paul Elio’s project to have too much scope creep and overrun the initial base price projections. I hate giving advice as much as some hate taking it, but relax, this is supposed to be fun – In truth, I’ll be more than a little upset if I lose my $1000 deposit, but I knew what I was getting into when I hit the submit button on the payment page…. I bought something that didn't yet exist - I have fully come to grips with that and my be eating ramen noodles under a 40W bulb regretting it one day!"
(CAN = Controller Area Network)
"Grant Inscoe Response from Skyz to the list of questions above: "As far as answering your questions, you have my first response as to "Why did we start with the Apple products?". The other important consideration was the ability to lock the iPad mini into the dash with a built-in charger connection that charges the iPad mini while driving the Elio. With the huge range of sizes and shapes of Android devices, it is hard to design a universal Android docking station with charging capabilities in the Elio dash. Elio Motors and Infinite Skyz are committed to safety for the Elio drivers, so the Apple and Android devices need to be secured within the Elio such that the devices do not go flying when the drivers hit the brakes or if they are involved in an accident.
FYI, the SkyzMatic system communicates with Apple, Android, and Microsoft devices. Infinite Skyz will develop the apps to interface the Elio with Android and Microsoft devices after production starts in 2015.
Future Elio owners will not be impacted by the SkyzMatic system. It is an option only that is not forced on future Elio owners who plan to purchase their Elio for $6,800.
If the SkyzMatic system is purchased as an option, there will be no other charges from Elio Motors and Infinite Skyz. There will be monthly cellular charges for cell services from a service provider if cell services are selected by the Elio owners."
Thanks, Grant!
Elizabeth
"Grant Inscoe I'll add a couple of thoughts more to address some of the other posts here about wanting the car to be simple, not wanting any computers at all and wanting a simple ODBII option... Cars have had computer control systems in them since the late '70s. This became mainstream across all manufacturers in the 80's. Not only do the safety features that many us enjoy such as traction control, stability control, air bags and anti-lock brakes require a computer, but so do the systems that allow for better fuel efficiencies like as electronic fuel injection. The Elio is going to have an ODBII connector just like all cars do today and when and if you have to get the car's emissions inspected the attendant is going to plug a cable under the dash just as they do today. It's my understanding that OBDII is just a connector and protocol that will, in this case, be implemented over the version of CAN that Elio will use. The Skyzmatic system does nothing more than make the CAN bus communications in the car extensible to a driver information touchscreen (a.k.a. an iPAD) and to the Internet. There are a range of features that this system will provide for some of us that will make vehicle maintenance and monitoring highly available via a web browser. It will also allow for features like remote start over and remote camera viewing over the Internet. Imagine being able to use the camera to help find your car in a parking lot, using it to solve a crime, or using recorded video to dispute false claims after an accident. I can understand the resistance of those like me (believe it or not) that enjoy the simplicity of WWII era carbureted technology, but I'll bet that many of you, also like me, have replaced your points based ignition system with an electronic ignition system! Come on now, tell the truth...!!! OK, this has been a load of fun and I appreciate all of the comments and participation. I also know that many are afraid of having their expectations dashed because they were either set too high, or because there is some possibility that the price is too good to be true and the hipsters are going to ruin everything by encouraging Paul Elio’s project to have too much scope creep and overrun the initial base price projections. I hate giving advice as much as some hate taking it, but relax, this is supposed to be fun – In truth, I’ll be more than a little upset if I lose my $1000 deposit, but I knew what I was getting into when I hit the submit button on the payment page…. I bought something that didn't yet exist - I have fully come to grips with that and my be eating ramen noodles under a 40W bulb regretting it one day!"
(CAN = Controller Area Network)
They've got me hooked already, I'm in, no matter the cost.
