A $2,000,000 "iCar" manufactured by DiMora Motorcar

If you don't want to wait for the Apple/VW iCar, you could always check out the $2,000,000 Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan, pictured at left.

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According to a DiMora press release, "The Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan will be produced by DiMora Motorcar using LAMAR Software's Info.Net Enterprise Resource Planning system for complete manufacturing and distribution management. The world's most expensive production automobile, the Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan, is being produced by DiMora Motorcar in Palm Springs, California. It will be the most technologically advanced production automobile ever built."

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Palm Springs, CA (PRWeb) March 13, 2007 -- DiMora Motorcar has selected LAMAR Software to provide the manufacturing management software for production of the Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan. From the server located at the DiMora Motorcar factory in Palm Springs, California, Info.Net software will coordinate the production and transportation of all component systems at DiMora and technology partner facilities around the world.

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CEO Alfred DiMora explained the decision to rely on Info.Net for total enterprise resource planning (ERP) at DiMora Motorcar: "We need total visibility of our critical business functions to produce and support the world's finest sport luxury sedan. Info.Net gives us the power to coordinate the thousands of systems, parts, shops, and skills needed to produce each hand-crafted automobile. From asset tracking to factory floor scheduling, our management and our technology partners will have the information they need to deliver our products to the most demanding customers in the world. We look forward to a productive, long-term relationship with LAMAR Software."

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The Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan will be powered by the 1200 horsepower, 16-cylinder DiMora Volcano engine driving all four steerable wheels. With communications capabilities beyond any other production automobile in the world and luxury to rival a five-star resort, the Natalia is designed to be the most technologically-advanced sport luxury sedan ever built.

LAMAR Software President Gary Halvorsen explained the significance of the relationship with DiMora Motorcar: "DiMora Motorcar's selection of Info.Net marries their leading-edge automobile technology with Info.Net's award-winning web-based functionality. Working together, we will be able to give DiMora Motorcar's technology partners, dealers, customers and employees real-time information visibility."

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Halvorsen continued, "Since Natalia and Info.Net are both built to communicate, we can give each customer the latest information on their Natalia, both during production and after delivery. Info.Net extends traditional ERP functionality with supply chain management (SCM) features such as supply chain visibility, synchronization, automated replenishment, and performance measurements through a web-based supplier portal."

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About LAMAR Software

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Based in Pismo Beach, California, LAMAR Software has been a pioneer in the design and development of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for repetitive, process and discrete manufacturing industries since 1994. Its Info.Net software provides leading real-time manufacturing, accounting, production monitoring, quality control, supply chain, and customer resource management (CRM) to the automotive, medical, airborne electronics and other manufacturing markets. The only complete, single-source enterprise software solution has business intelligence built in, not added on. Info.Net offers real-time front office, accounting, manufacturing and supply chain management in a single database. Visit LAMAR Software at http://www.lamarsoftware.com/.

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About DiMora Motorcar
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Based in Palm Springs, California, DiMora Motorcar crafts automobiles designed to exceed expectations for safety, performance, technology, ecology, beauty, comfort, and luxury. It reveals the design, production, and testing of these automobiles via the Internet so that people around the world can participate in and learn from the process. The results will demonstrate America's automotive design and engineering leadership.

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The founder, CEO, and driving force behind DiMora Motorcar is Alfred J. DiMora, who produced two of America's finest luxury automobiles, the Clenet (as owner) and the Sceptre (as co-founder). He and the Clenet were inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1986 for the Centennial Year of the Gasoline-powered Automobile. He also founded Starbridge Systems, Inc., where he developed the world's fastest FPGA supercomputer. With his technological and automotive backgrounds, Alfred DiMora blends the two worlds together to create this new experience in automotive history, the Natalia SLS 2 sport luxury sedan. Please visit http://www.dimoramotorcar.com/ for more information.

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DiMora Motorcar, Natalia, Volcano and DiMora TV are marks of Alfred J. DiMora. Copyright 2007 Alfred J. DiMora, All Rights Reserved. All other trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks belong to their respective holders.

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Press release courtesy of PRWeb.

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Wowzers!

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Miss iCar

What Will the iCar be Like? (A Luddite's Perspective): Brainstorm #1

One thing for sure: the iCar will be filled with confusing gadgets that most consumers won't be able to make head or tail out of, including yours truly.

No iCar is still befuddled by her cell phone, a fairly basic model without a camera, and must confer with her 12-year-old whiz kid to help check her messages. She misses her last phone, a StarTAC, profoundly.

She is also rather fond of her vintage bag phone (purchased in the early 1990's), which was not really a cell phone, but something called a "car phone" or "mobile phone" ("mobile" referring to wheels--the early phones couldn't be used without being tethered to an auto's cigarette lighter or even permanently wired to the car). The bag phone came in its own carrying case--a small suitcase, actually--and its handset was the same size as a regular land line handset, complete with the coiled wire that, if one dropped it, the thing acted like a huge spring (Boing Boing--maybe that's why that term has sprung into the cultural consciousness). Phone calls were about $3.00 a minute, and roaming was expensive, each region charging a "out-of-service-area" user fee, often $3.00 or more, so if one were traveling across country, one tended not to call friends to ask "Whassup?" The good news: 911 calls have always been free.

My, how quickly technology changes.

The point here: cell phone companies, for the most part, have built products that can be fully utilized or simply used, depending on the end user's level of technological savvy. Apple and Volkswagen would do well to keep this in mind

So, then, the iCar will have to be the kind of vehicle that both Luddites and techno whizzes (and those falling somewhere in between) will be able to drive without going back to college. The automobile industry is too competitive to ignore a large part of the population, so let's start with that premise, and build No iCar's prototype version of this technological wonder (In future posts, we'll look at future prototypes and their likely high-tech features). So here goes:

• Just like we still hang onto the QWERTY keyboard (although an alphabetical one might, for future generations, be more intuitive), the first generation of iCars will likely retain the steering wheel. Sorry, click and sliders enthusiasts.
• A key-starting option might be available, at least in early models, even if the the user will be required to use an electronic door lock system.
• Apple/VW might very well consider a hybrid model. According to Laptop Magazine's Wishlist, "Taking a page from the new Nissan Mixim concept, the iCar should be an electric vehicle powered by a compact lithium-ion battery. We just hope you won't have to ship your car back to Cupertino to have it replaced." (A topic for No iCar's other blog). For better or worse, gasoline is still king, hence the hybrid configuration. Solar power would be an environmentally-friendly feature; however, No iCar believes that a parallel gas-powered function will still be vitally important, especially for regions that don't get much sun in the winter, such as Washington, Alaska, northern Canada and Europe, etc. Thus, VW (or whatever company Apple partners with) would do well to retrofit their service centers and train their mechanics before releasing the iCar.
• Apple/VW must include a fully manual option button (for when the computer system crashes, and it will); on the fly, this function should kick in automatically. No one should have to reboot his/her car at 65 mph.
• The iCar should have a readily available emergency manual shut-off button (think about the times one's computer gets hung up in an infinite loop and refuses to shut down). Non-scolding error messages, please. Only mischievous children, teens, and morons would push this button just for fun.
• The iCar should be large enough to comfortably accommodate tall and overweight users and Apple's numerous gadgets (see this post); as endearing as the Bug may be, it may not be a good choice for the iCar. An updated and sleek version of the VW Bus might attract both young and older iCar buyers.
• For safety reasons, the iCar's windows should offer a manual wind-down feature on the driver's side (actually, No iCar would argue that all cars should incorporate this feature).
• The dashboard will feature an Apple TV screen (standard equipment) and sound system that will be connected to all iCar systems via an iMac; all system info will be available via voice queries and the answer would be delivered both via voice and screen.
• Emergency information (low oil, gas, overheating engine, etc.) will automatically display on screen and sound a warning via voice.
• Of course, the iCar will feature wireless capabilities for their own gadgets: iPods, iPhones, additional iMacs, additional Apple TVs. For those without these gadgets, Apple and VW would offer them as optional equipment at dealer prices. For families with infants or babies, Apple and Volkswagen, would offer, as an add-on, a fully-loaded car seat, complete with baby's own TV and iPod system.
• The iCar, as standard features, will probably feature Apple's version of OnStar, Google Maps, GPS.
• The iCar would feature a safe passive seat belt system, preferably developing an H- configured belt that would not cut into one's neck. (No iCar contends that most people who disable the shoulder function do so because of the annoying neck problem.) The companies would offer another option: over-sized seat belts for tall and overweight users.
• Please! Adjustable cup/bottle holders, both in the front and back seats, especially for the U.S. market. Lots of 'em! America is the home of the "go" cup.
• The iCar will come in three models: standard, mid-level, and luxury. A custom-luxury option would also be available.
• The standard model would offer standard features, such as air, power steering and brakes the dashboard iMac computer and screen with full wireless integration for other Apple gadgets. The iMac Computer system would have to be a hallmark of the iCar; otherwise, it's just a car. The seats would be cloth-covered , come in basic beige, gray, and dark blue, and be less padded, although their adjustment feature would still be computerized. body paint options: navy blue, red, black, gray, and green.
• The mid-level iCar would add better and more padded cloth seats in more colors and back seat heat and air conditioning vents. Also more choice of body paint, including some metallics.
• The luxury model would include leather seats with built in warmers, all technology offered by Apple and VW, a wide range car body colors and metallics.
• The luxury-custom model would be whatever the customer would want and be priced accordingly.

It is likely that No iCar has missed something. If there are any readers out there and you have some more ideas, please email No iCar, or use the comment feature.

While No iCar did not exactly welcome the news of a possible iCar, she may slowly come around, IF Apple and Volkswagen develop an iCar without significant bugs and develop a model that is user-friendly for those who arrived to the technological age, kicking and screaming.

She may slowly morph into "Maybe iCar" (she will save her iCar rants for her other blog); for now, she's an iCar realist and will sign her posts here as "Miss iCar."

Miss iCar

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(Disclaimer: The "FAQ" contained in this post is based on supposition, not fact. The Apple/VW iCar does not exist and may never exist. This blogger is not a disgruntled/unhappy employee or former employee of Apple or Volkswagen , nor does she own any Apple products. She has nothing to do whatsoever with either of these companies. "No iCar"/"Miss iCar" is simply an ordinary person with Luddite tendencies who is both fascinated and repelled by the idea of an iCar.)

The iCar: iBus or iBeetle?

No iCar votes for "iBus." Here's why:

1. According to Roger Boyes of Times Online, "Steve Jobs sold his VW Bulli minibus 31 years ago to fund his fledgeling company, set up in his parents’ garage in Los Altos, and apparently maintains an emotional connection to the discarded VW van." This would offer Jobs a powerful incentive to lobby for the stalwart VW Bus as the iCar. No iCar must admit that she, too, has a soft spot for The Bus and might even forgive Jobs' part in the technological revolution, but that does not mean she will morph into an Apple Zombie Follower. However, after a discreet wait, she might even jump into to bed with Apple and VW and *buy* the iBus.
2. Americans in particular are becoming heavier and even obese. No iCar is making no weight judgments here--she, too, could stand to lose a few pounds--but Apple/VW need to manufacture an iCar that will offer a certain level of comfort for those of us who carry a few extra pounds.
3. No iCar cannot see all those iCar gadgets, in addition to driver and passengers, being stuffed into an iBug. It is feared that the days of 20 college students piling into a Bug have long passed.
4. The VW iBus would be a natural fit for a young and growing, plugged-in family.

Of course, Apple and VW could opt to offer more than one model.

The iAppleHaus? Ray Bradbury's Cautionary Tale about a House that Tried But Couldn't

Okay, here's the deal: Luddite No iCar shudders at the thought of the inevitable iCar and has made herself heard (and will continue to do so) in her other blog, but she has accepted the fact that progress will march on, with or without her. By virtue of her presence here, she has accepted, albeit with the help of her 12-year-old brainiac sprout, the coming of the iCar, manufactured by Apple/VW or even some young upstart car-computer manufacturer upstaging The Big Apple Corporation.

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She may even end up driving a knockoff/generic version of the iCar, though she will refrain from standing in long lines to purchase one at twice the reasonable price. In fact, she will wait so long to fall into cultural lockstep that she will be able to dicker for a year-old model at the Volkswagen dealership or pick up one used on eBay Motors.

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Ray Bradbury's 1950 cautionary cold war tale "August 2026" There Will Come Soft Rains" offers all techheads a warning about depending too much on technology that does everything for them except wipe their...or, maybe that too.

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In this short story, the main character is a fully automatized house that continues its routine of tending to the McClellan family's needs, days after the mother, father, and two children have been vaporized to burnt shadows by a Hiroshima-like bomb that has been dropped on their California town by a non-specified enemy.

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Software that runs tech gadgets is rather stupid and not at all intuitive, at least in a human sense; instead of saying, "Oh! My masters are dead! Time to par-TEE with the other houses on the block," our hero iHouse simply continues soldiering on. iHouse does not question, "Why? Why are all my people no longer here"? It just does its chores until it can no longer do so and eventually explodes and burns up with its owners.

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Tut, tut.

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Of course, in 1950, when he published this story, Bradbury seemed more concerned and preoccupied with the possibility of The Bomb coming to a town near him, but Bradbury's iHouse itself is an interesting study of technology's overall societal impact, such as more leisure time, increased wealth (at least for some), and a sharp rise in obesity rates (more on this in a later post).

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With August 27th's rumor of an iCar going viral throughout the internet and September 6th's "Apple Event," this phantom vehicle has been a topic of heated discussion on various forums: Engadget, MacForums, and MacRumors.

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For those who are excited by the prospect, one might pause and take a lesson from this excerpt from Bradbury's short story"August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains":

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In the living room the voice-clock sang, Tick-tock, seven o'clock, time to get up, time to get up, seven o'clock! as if it were afraid nobody would. The morning house lay empty. The clock ticked on, repeating and repeating its sounds into the emptiness. Seven-nine, breakfast time, seven-nine!

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In the kitchen the breakfast stove gave a hissing sigh and ejected from its warm interior eight pieces of perfectly browned toast, eight eggs sunnyside up, sixteen slices of bacon, two coffees, and two cool glasses of milk.

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"Today is August 4, 2026," said a second voice from the kitchen ceiling., "in the city of Allendale, California." It repeated the date three times for memory's sake. "Today is Mr. Featherstone's birthday. Today is the anniversary of Tilita's marriage. Insurance is payable, as are the water, gas, and light bills."

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Somewhere in the walls, relays clicked, memory tapes glided under electric eyes.

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Eight-one, tick-tock, eight-one o'clock, off to school, off to work, run, run, eight-one! But no doors slammed, no carpets took the soft tread of rubber heels. It was raining outside. The weather box on the fron door sang quietly: "Rain, rain, go away; rubbers, raincoats for today..." And the rain tapped on the empty house, echoing.

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Outside, the garage chimed and lifted its door to reveal the waiting car. After a long wait the door swung down again.

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At eight-thirty the eggs were shriveled and the toast was like stone. An aluminum wedge scraped them down a metal throat which digested and flushed them away to the distant sea. The dirty dishes were dropped into a hot washer and emerged twinkling dry.

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Nine-fifteen, sang the clock, time to clean.

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Out of warrens in the wall, tiny robot mice darted. The rooms were acrawl with the small cleaning animals, all rubber and metal. They thudded against chairs, whirling their mustached runners, kneading the rug nap, sucking gently at hidden dust.Then, like mysterious invaders, they popped into their burrows. Their pink electric eye faded. The house was clean.

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Ten o'clock. The sun came out from behind the rain. The house stood alone in a city of rubble and ashes. This was the one house left standing. At night the ruined city gave of a radioactive glow which could be seen for miles.

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Ten-fifteen. The garden sprinklers whirled up in golden founts, filling the soft morning air with scatterings of brightness. The water pelted windowpanes, running down the charred west side where the house had been burned evenly free of its white paint. The entire west face of the house was black, save for five places. Here the silhouette in paint of a man mowing a lawn. Here, as in a photograph, a woman bent to pick flowers. Still farther over, their images burned on wood in one titantic instant, a small boy, hands flung into the air; higher up, the image of thrown ball, and opposite him a girl, hand raised to catch a ball which never came down.

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The five spots of paint--the man, the woman, the children, the ball--remained. The rest was a thin charcoaled layer.

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The gentle sprinkler rain filled the garden with falling light.

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Until this day, how well the house had kept its peace. How carefully it had inquired, "Who goes there? What's the password?" and, getting no answer from the lonely foxes and whining cats, it had shut up its windows and drawn shades in an old-maidenly preoccupation with self-protection which bordered on a mechanical paranoia (1).

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More (the rest of the story)...

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From Bradbury's fictional iHouse--the real future version might very well be called the iAppleHaus--one can extrapolate some of the characteristics that might be found in an iCar, a topic for a future post.

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(1) Excerpt from Ray Bradbury's "August 2026: There Will Come Soft Rains." Originally published in Collier's, 6 May 1950.