The Automatica USB device is a small computer that emulates a USB mass storage device connected to the car, constantly updated by an Internet Wi-Fi connection. Users can sync audio content from Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, Microsoft SkyDrive for listening to music, podcasts, or audio books on the road. Automatica requires your vehicle to have a USB port to work. Then it creates a local cache of your cloud storage content and stores 24 hours of audio within the internal flash memory.
The set-up is user friendly with an initial personalization feature via the Automatica website where the user can choose the podcasts and cloud services they want to associate to the device.
Once the Wi-Fi is set up, there’s no need to connect the device to a computer to update, the Wi-Fi connectivity allows for automatic audio content updates. The device leverages the Wi-Fi available where you’re parked as well as your smartphone Wi-Fi tethering while driving. However, users should be aware smartphone tethering is billed against your cell phone data plan, so you’ll want to make sure you don’t exceed your plans limits. Downloading 24 hours of audio daily can quickly add up.
The Automatica web service allows you to manage the content for your Automatica USB device from anywhere in the world (outside of your car) from their website. When your car enters a hotspot zone, Automatica will start downloading the fresh updates.
“This plug and play device allows for users that have a USB port in their vehicle to enjoy instant audio content – without any further modifications to the vehicle.” states Giorgio Bernardi, President of INRETE. “Our goal is to simplify this process by making it easy to use, yet make it personal for each user with our online interface”.
Features
- Connects to vehicle’s USB – no vehicle modifications needed
- Automatica is easily read by the vehicle as it is recognized as a USB memory stick
- Syncs intuitively with storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, Microsoft SkyDrive and podcast channels via Wi-Fi
- Creates local cache of contents and stores 24hrs of audio within the internal flash memory (expandable with microSD slot)
Price and Availability
Inrete’s Automatica is available for pre-order now via their website automaticaweb.com for $99 USD.
Harry
January 4, 2013 at 1:06 pm
So you should leave your car with the keys in the ignition so it can sync?
Not vercy clever, should have had a battery built in.
Jim
January 31, 2013 at 5:00 pm
They released a direct power supply to connect to the battery, the declared consumption is 140 mA, so should not deplete the battery even you you leave parked the car for a couple of weeks