![]() ![]() Connect also lets users check remaining battery charge, estimated remaining range, charging status, and time remaining before the battery is fully charged. Connect” services pack, which is standard equipment on the ZOE, drivers can use a smartphone or computer to check information ahead of their journey, says Renault. ![]() Users with the TomTom LIVE service can see a graphic display of how far the electric vehicle can travel as a function of its remaining range, as well as the location of charging stations near to the vehicle’s actual location or destination. The R-Link system can hook into the car’s telematics system to enable features such as displaying a histogram of energy consumption in real time, as well as electric flow dynamics. The R-Link system also offers “eco-functions,” which appear to be fairly limited unless one has one of Renault’s electric cars, such as the ZOE. Multimedia features include Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming with portable devices. The firmware includes steering wheel mounted controls, speech recognition, and text-to-speech functionality. Certain applications can only function when the car is at a standstill, including Sudoku, R-Link Tweet, and E-guide apps. TomTom collaborated with Orange and Atos to develop the R-Link App store’s ecosystem. R-Link offers access to an R-Link app store featuring over 50 optimized apps, downloadable over a 3G connection. R-Link runs a customized version of Android on an unstated Texas Instruments OMAP ARM processor, but it cannot run just any Android app. A subscription-based TomTom LIVE features current traffic information, speed camera alerts, local search, and weather forecasts. TomTom features include recommendations for energy-efficient routes, lane guidance for exits and intersections, and map sharing. With those caveats in mind, R-Link appears to be a capable IVI system that brings the advantage of an app store, as well as TomTom’s maps and navigation features. Also, there is no special integration with Android mobile devices, and it appears that Renault has backed away from its earlier plans to open up the code base to a wide group of developers. ![]() Renault may call R-Link an Android tablet, but it’s not removable by users, and the interface is only distantly related to Android. The models include the ZOE, New Clio, Captur, New Megane line-up, Scenic X-mod, New Scenic and Grand Scenic, Fluence, Laguna 2013 Collection, Latitude, New Kangoo, Kangoo Express, and Kangoo ZE. The IVI system is now widely available in 15 Renault models, says the French carmaker. Renault announced R-Link with TomTom support back in 2011, and earlier this year it began appearing in a few Renault models such as the Clio and ZOE. The R-Link system’s 7-inch touchscreen provides TomTom navigation services, Bluetooth audio streaming, speech recognition and text-to-speech, and on Renault’s electric cars, extensive “eco functions” including a service for tracking remaining range. Renault’s Android-based R-Link in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) tablet is now available in 15 Renault car models, selling as a 599 Euro ($800) option. ![]() Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email ![]()
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