Automatic Link promises to be personal driving assistant, available now for $100
First Automatic said its driving assistant dongle and related iOS app would be ready in May, and then it said the app needed until August to fully bake. Well, it's now October, and at long last, it appears the San Francisco-based startup is finally ready to launch its connected car platform to the general public. As a reminder, Automatic utilizes a piece of hardware called the Link that attaches to your car's OBD-II port -- most cars built after 1996 have one -- along with an iPhone app that communicates with it via Bluetooth LE and translates that onboard diagnostic information into usable data. For example, the app will monitor your driving habits and let you know when you're riding the gas pedal too hard or hitting the brakes too aggressively. If your car's Check Engine light shows up, it'll give you its best guess as to what caused it and even lets you clear it if you've managed to solve the problem. There are other uses too, like dialing 911 if you've been in an accident or finding a parked car. Have a peek at our hands-on for more info, and if you feel like picking one up yourself, Automatic's Link hardware is on sale for $99.95 on Apple's online store and retail locations starting today.
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Automatic, Your Smart Driving Assistant,
Now Available in All US Apple Retail Stores, Apple Online
Innovative Gadget Connects Your Car to Your Smartphone, Makes Driving Smarter
San Francisco, CA – October 23, 2013 – Automatic Labs (automatic.com), today announced the availability of Automatic: Your Smart Driving Assistant in more than 250 Apple retail stores nationwide and on the Apple Online Store.
Automatic is an iPhone app that pairs with a tiny piece of intelligent hardware called the Automatic Link that connects your iPhone to your car's onboard computer when you drive. Automatic is a Smart Driving Assistant and helps drivers adjust their driving habits to save gas, decode and clear their car's "check engine" light, and remember where they parked. It can detect a serious crash and automatically call for help and alert loved ones, all without a subscription fee.
"Apple sets a high bar for the quality of products they carry in their stores. We're thrilled to make Automatic available to the millions of people who trust Apple to curate beautiful and easy to use products.", said Thejo Kote, Automatic's CEO and co-founder.
Since its announcement in March 2013, Automatic has earned rave reviews and awards – from Fast Company's Innovation by Design Awards to the ITS America Smart Solution Spotlight award. The Automatic Link retails for $99.95. The Automatic app and service are free.
Works in nearly all cars in the US since 1996
The Automatic Link plugs into your car's onboard diagnostics (OBDII) port without any tools. The port is usually located below the steering wheel by the foot pedals. Check if your car is compatible at automatic.com/cars.
iPhone Support
Automatic is compatible with the iPhone 4S and newer models (5, 5C, 5S).
About Automatic
Automatic is a technology startup focused on making high-end connected car features available to everybody. Based in San Francisco, the company was founded in early 2012 by a group of experts in transportation systems, human-computer interaction and design who met as graduate students at UC Berkeley. Automatic is a Y-Combinator company with investment from Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, and others. For more information, visit automatic.com.
