A group of Russian car enthusiasts announced on their blog (translated via Red Hot Russia) that they have modified a car to be controlled remotely by an iPad.

The group used an iPad 3 and created an app to control the car via a host of added electronic components to control the acceleration, steering, braking and gear shifting in addition to seeing the road from the perspective of the car.

russianipadcar

While doing tests outside, I froze like a dog. Besides, the tablet screen quickly becomes wet and fingers numb and lose sensitivity, making tapping on the screen more difficult. Also, in the street it’s difficult to see clearly the picture from the rear view mirror – the screen brightness is not sufficient. Plus the windshield is quickly covered with snow.

The car was initially called the "James Bond Car," inspired by a scene from Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies" where Bond controls his car with a phone. After the initial test, they started referring to the car as "Opel Virta," a play on the model of the car, which is an Opel Vectra.


The iPad-controlled setup is actually transferrable to any car with an automatic transmission that houses a direct transmission selector, which means that controls like "drive," "neutral," "reverse" and "park" are in a straight line.

Top Rated Comments

Mr. Retrofire Avatar
161 months ago
In America you control the iPad in a car. In soviet russia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakov_Smirnoff#Russian_reversal), the iPad controls your car.

;-)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
whooleytoo Avatar
161 months ago
Having seen some crazy road-rage incidents from Russian dash-cams, I'm not surprised they've figured out how to drive without being in the car!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jayomat Avatar
161 months ago
Cool but dangerous. You need the tactile depth of touch of the steering wheel and the pedals to feel the road and control the car.

You lose perspective trying to do this with an iPad.
There is this scene in a James Bond movie where he controls his car during a high-speed chase from the back seat with his cell phone touch screen.
It was cool but completely unbelievable.

Most people couldn't do it.
you don't say?! ;)
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
herr_neumann Avatar
161 months ago


Most people couldn't do it.

Most people aren't James Bond....
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ConCat Avatar
161 months ago
In America you control the iPad in a car. In soviet russia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakov_Smirnoff#Russian_reversal), the iPad controls your car.

;-)

In soviet Russia, iPad drives you!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jm001 Avatar
161 months ago
Vodka, an iPad and an unmanned vehicle... yup this'll end well.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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