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Rinspeed iChange Controlled via iPhone

The Swiss manufacturers' revolutionary iChange concept, set to make its first public appearance at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show got just a bit more exciting with the addition of the gadget/gaming platform/nuclear missile controller/phone wonder you all know as the iPhone, macworld.com reported.

Rinspeed managed to make the iPhone a part of their car, as they replaced the car's keys and buttons with the 3.5 inch display Multi-Touch phone. Once you connect the phone, a green 'start" button appears and enables you to start the engine by touching the iPhone's display. The phone's interaction to the car does not limit itself to this on and off function. You can also control headlights or to pop-up the rear roof so you can get additional space.

The reunion of these two until now parallel technologies makes the iChange even more appealing. As we previously reported, the car is built to change its shape to maintain its aerodynamics according to how many passengers ride in it. Its basic pod configuration is a single seater, but you can easily fit another two passengers into the car should the need arise.

iChange is powered by Lithium Ion batteries you can fit to you're pleasing. Two configuration options allow you to choose between a lighter short-range pack or a heavier one for longer distances. Either way, the 150 kilowatt (200 horsepower) Siemens electric engine, controlled by a six speed pre-selector gearbox, allows the vehicle to accelerate from naught to sixty in 4.2 seconds.

The car features solar panels on the top and sides of the roof that restore the batteries and, more importantly, it powers a number of systems during summers, such as air conditioning.

Designer Frank Rinderknecht fitted the car with a Harman/Kardon audio system controlled by a low power Intel processor and a car navigation system which not only helps you get where you want to go on the shorter route, but also allows you to go there on the most eco-friendly route possible.

Short route or not, if you find yourself in Geneva next month, be sure to stop by Rinspeed's stand. We are not advertising the company, we just told you that so you don't regret missing what could turn out to be a turning point in infotainment technology.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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