Renault introduced today its vision of in-car entertainment in a special edition of its Espace family, called Tech Run. The in-car entertainment console offers a DVD player, USB ports to upload MP3 files, an iPOD dock, and an RCA jack for game consoles. A DVD player housed in the glove compartment is linked to two screens embedded in the back of the front-passengers’ headrests.
Sound is wirelessly streamed through an infrared connection to two headrests. The player can also be controlled with a remote from the backseat. Through an RCA socket, you can connect the monitors to a video camera, a portable media player or even a games console to the ---the Renault spokesman I spoke with didn’t mention whether there was an electrical socket to plug in an Xbox or Playstation.
Sure, it has been possible to rig your own system like this for some time now by buying aftermarket gear and hacking your car on your own. At least here is one of Europe’s largest carmakers making it all available in a production model. No matter what, though, you are not going to get multiple drink holders in Europe like you do in the U.S.—car designers here just don’t think that way.
