Show HN: Google Glass + Tesla Model S = GlassTesla

[sahaskatta]

In case you didn't guess, it this app lets Tesla Model S owners interact with their vehicle with Google Glass.

Here's what it can do:

- View vehicle charging status. Start or stop charging via Glass. You can even open the charge port without having to get back into your car.

- Locate your Model S on a map and get directions to it. You can even honk the horns or flash the headlights if you still can't spot it.

- See whether the doors, trunks, or sunroof is open/closed. Of course, you can lock or unlock your car remotely and even control the sunroof too.

- You can view the car's interior and exterior temperatures. With a single tap, you can enable "auto climate" to either cool or heat your vehicle to an optimal temperature remotely.

What do you guys think?

[cocoflunchy]

After clicking half a dozen times on the arrow, I realized I had to scroll down. I think there's something to do here to make a little more obvious, like actually start scrolling when you click on the arrow, or at least removing the fade effect on the click (otherwise it actually makes me believe that clicking was the expected behavior!)

[edit] I tried again and realized that the fade effect was not triggered by my click, I was just super-synchronized ;)

[kami8845]

You can save yourself trying to guess how to navigate a page and simply use page up / page down :) It's also faster that way.

[sahaskatta]

Yeah, I'll try to fix that now. Got similar feedback from others too!

Thanks!

[cookingrobot]

I would rather see a different kind of mashup - install the Google Glass into the car.

Put the camera on the rearview mirror facing forward, and install a small heads-up display to reflect off the windshield. This could be a lot more interesting than Apple's in dash iOS approach.

Then you could use all the glass apps + features while driving, without having to wear the headset. From what I hear it will be basically impossible to use glass while driving because you have to look up and to the right to see the screen.

[wavesounds]

Agreed. I have been waiting for them to pivot to this since they first introduced the product, it seems like such a more obvious and useful use of the technology.

[moocow01]

Id imagine that Google Glass will fall under the same laws banning cell phones and electronics while driving so Im not so sure how much potential this has besides putting the ability to unlock your car on Glass.

[quackerhacker]

I can actually see what you mean and agree with you. I remember some driving law...something about not obstructing a driver's field of vision (which is why it's technically illegal to drive with a handicap placard or even a little tree fresher hanging off your rearview mirror).

It'll really come down to officer judgment, since they can also view it as hands free (like a Bluetooth).

In regards to this app though, it doesn't appear to serve any function while driving, so I can't imagine it being used during driving.

[dragonwriter]

I imagine it won't, at least, it won't fall under some of the existing laws which specifically prohibit the use of electronic devices that aren't hands-free while driving.

[Spittie]

Wouldn't it be possible to do something like that for "normal" cars too, using the ODB2 interface (that, by law, car makers have to include since years).

Use an ODB2 Bluetooth adapter to read the car data onto a cellphone (Obviously you won't get as much stuff as the Tesla offer, but at least you should be able to get the current speed/gas left), then send this data from your phone to the Glass.

I'm not sure if the phone can send data directly to the Glass, otherwise you would probably have to send this data to a server, and then retrieve it using the Mirror API. Slower and dumber, but it should work.

Anyway, very cool project. I wish I had Glass and a Tesla to try it out.

[ben1040]

Someone is working on that very idea, bridging an OBD-II scanner to Glass:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2yX1ZkR2JI

[BHSPitMonkey]

There are already a lot of projects for Android that do just that. Plenty of Bluetooth ODB2 dongles for sale for doing it as well.

For instance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0O5RZeXTDc

[molbioguy]

As others have said, Glass + driving will lead to increased accidents and will likely be banned in the same manner as texting while driving. A recent study by AAA showed that voice-to-text messaging is more distracting than making calls with a cell phone. For the average person, multitasking while driving will almost always be more dangerous. Pilot HUDs are not comparable, because they are focused on flying, the task at hand, and pilots are highly trained in using them. I doubt that users will restrict themselves to map apps while driving.

[k-mcgrady]

Google Glass will probably be banned when driving (and rightly so - it'll also be much easier to catch people using Glass than mobile phones). I think something like Siri is much more likely to take off in cars due the the hands and eyes free ability. It's a nice concept you've made but I can't see it being very useful.

I'm interested to know if you considered this and have a different opinion.

[neurotech1]

Fighter pilots fly with HUDs and helmet mounted displays quite safely. The reason why texting is so dangerous is because its a heads-down activity.

[dannyr]

Why do you think it's easier to catch people using Glass?

You can operate Google Glass hands-free.

[tchae]

This is pretty cool. How many people have both though?

[gkoberger]

Even if it's small, it's still not a bad idea to target a market that clearly has a good amount of disposable income.

[aclevername]

I'd argue the intersection of these sets is a lot higher than you'd expect in the Valley. Mr. Katta may be looking to attract the attention of these people, which are often influential investors or otherwise well connected.

[btian]

Increasing number of people

[loceng]

Probably a lot, if Google buys Tesla.

[jaekwon]

Doesn't Google Glass force all apps to communicate via Google's servers? When I read the API the day it was announced, it certainly seemed that way.

So basically Google Glass is a massive camera & audio surveillance device, with most probably instant access by "government" intelligence agencies.

[skizm]

I heard that you have to basically look at the ceiling in your car in order to fully see Glass' interface since you need a dark background for Glass to be correctly visible. Am I wrong? Seems like Glass would be even less safe for driving than a cell phone.

[sahaskatta]

It really depends. Google Glass does very well in dark places AND even under bright sunlight since the photochromic lens turns black.

However, the photochromic glass doesn't turn black when you happen to be standing under shade when outdoors. So that's the one situation where it's a bit difficult to see.

In a car, I found that just putting down the visor helps. I don't need to move my head up.

[tobico]

If you have that much money, why not just get your butler to do it for you.

[christiangenco]

God, I wish I was in the target market for this app.

[benblodgett]

I can imagine the user base for this is a tiny yet interesting bunch.

[joshfraser]

Two awesome toys and I don't own either one. Way to make me feel poor and abandoned outside the cool club!