MINI Camden’s Mission Control Option Explained
The Mission Control option that debuted this May with the special edition Camden model at MINI United has generated quite a few questions recently. While MINI has given it’s own vague explanations within press releases, it’s been short of specifics. So Autoweek got some further information from MINI themselves.
>(The MINI Camden) will showcase a new technology Mini calls “Mission Control,†which allows the car to interact with the driver, sort of like a British version of Ford’s Sync. Three voices offer information about the car and its surroundings. There are up to 1,600 different statements, and it’s a standard feature on the Camden.
>For example: If the driver hammers the engine on a cold morning too quickly, a voice may say “ouch, I’m not warmed up yet,†in the words of Jim McDowell, Mini USA vice president.
>The voices can also offer congratulations for taking a curve with gusto–and plenty of g-force; or say something like “wow 4.5 seconds of full throttle,†after a lengthy launch.
>It can also suggest the driver turn on the air conditioning if the program senses ambient temperatures are hot, or tell passengers to buckle up.
>Mini, which is known for somewhat off-the-wall innovations–like the giant speedometer in the center of its dashboards or the gauge that tells you how long the roof has been open–also offers a common-sense option: the voices can be turned off.
You can read more here.
<p>Sounds like it’d be fun for a little while, but I think I’d tire of it pretty quickly. I suppose it’d turn into a challenge to find out what actions cause it to speak.</p>
<p>Maybe something like:</p>
<p>“Open the pod bay doors, HAL.”</p>
<p>“I’m sorry, Dave. I’m afraid I can’t do that.”</p>
<p>Hammer & Coop style, cool. I always wanted a cheeky GPS voice telling me what to do.</p>
<p>Well, most of the examples listed are close to a total waste of time. What would be really interesting to know is if this is a two way communication, like Sync, or is it just another way for the car to let you know what’s going on.</p>
<p>For the examples listed: Running hard when cold. I really wish the car came with a real temp gauge. Anything with sporting asperiations should.</p>
<p>comments on a hard launch? Not for me, and I could see people trying to see how long they can go on full throttle…</p>
<p>Taking curves at high G? Well, I KNOW when I’ve hit a turn well, but whatever… Again not for me…</p>
<p>Reminding me about my seat-belt? A voice replacing a gong…. A sort of progress, I guess.</p>
<p>Anyway, I sure hope that there’s more to this that just “cheeky cuteness” otherwise I just don’t see the value.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>I thnk a choice of voices would be nice, too – like Mr. Bean or Dame Edna – “Hold on tight, possums!”</p>
<p>I do have to wonder who this is aimed at in the Mini Market heh. I personally think this would do a decent job of annoying me super quick.</p>
<p>I agree with JonPD. Thank God for the “off” button!</p>
<p>i like it. i’d keep it on</p>
<p>I’m thinking more Stroker and Hoop style..</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTUYW_yEejE&feature=related" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTUYW_yEejE&feature=related</a></p>
<p>If I judge this by the examples given so far then I’d have to qualify Mission Control as a complete waste; I’d want nothing to do with such drivel. If, on the other hand, it offered genuinely useful features that might enhance safety, for example, then I’d be good with it. I’m afraid that we’re likely to get both, in which case you can count me out.</p>
<p>I wonder if I could train it to order for me at the Local In & Out Burgers here in Pasadena?</p>
<p>I wondered if they got those rims at Manny, Moe & Jack’s house? Gak!</p>
<p>Big Brother paranoia: Does Mission Control also talk to the service department?</p>
<p>That color is a definite. The only thing that could draw me away from that is Phoenix Yellow.</p>
<p>I’m all for more information, but it would be extremely annoying to hear chatty phrases like “wow”, “ouch” and “I’m”. I wouldn’t want anything more than a straight deadpan statement of information.</p>
<p>I drive alone a lot so having someone talk to me might not be so bad!</p>
<p>j/k</p>
<p>Geez talk about obnoxious. Too bad they don’t spend their apparent glut of extra time creating something constructive like a temperature gauge or a fuel gauge that was actually functional.</p>
<p>Sounds like a fun party feature, but that’s about it. I prefer for my MINI’s personality to be visual and emotional. No thanks.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t need something this stupid if they would just put a functional temperature gauge in the car! Just dumb and dumber. Sounds like those dolls from years back that when you pulled the string, they said some random, stupid phrase.</p>
<p>The voice of Harvey Keitel: “Nice lane change without a signal Dip #%&”.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-268260" rel="nofollow">bee1000</a>:</p>
<p>It may talk to cops too.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-268274" rel="nofollow">John</a>:</p>
<p>I think the marketeers are at the helm of MINI.</p>
<p>Sorry, I watched waaay too many episodes of Knight Rider as a kid for me to NOT think this could be cool to have (every now and then , at least). The ability off is definately welcome, though. I’m hoping there is more to it, though; otherwise, the comparison to Sync is completely unwarranted…</p>
<p>Is it just me or is this a lawsuit waiting to happen? You know after the first “Wow! 3.5 G turn” statement some yahoo is going to keep trying to see how high he can get it to tell him… at least until he rolls it or loses control and hits someone.</p>
<p>Why would they black-out the headlamps without blacking-out the rest of the chrome? I’m also hoping that the wheels look better in person. I’m also looking forward to hearing the new H/K Stereo!</p>
<p>I got to hang out with a Camden and a Mayfair this weekend at Lime Rock Vintage Fest.</p>
<p>Mission control is very funny to listen to. Yes it would get old after awhile, but it would be fun to show off to all of those “oh look a MINI!” people.</p>
<p>I did not like the wheels on the Camden, but the Mayfair’s wheels are a whole different story. I loved them!</p>
<p>Now as long as I can get mission control on my Mayfair I’ll be all set!</p>
<p>So MINI is turning to electronic gimmickry instead on focusing in developing a kick arse product?</p>
<p>Earth to Munich: Anybody home? GO BACK TO BASICS, PLEASE!</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-268788" rel="nofollow">C4</a>: Right on Bro!</p>
<p>I think the car is great! Having seen one about a week ago makes me wish the interior could have came on my Clubman. The only thing with this car is that it is “just a cooper”. I think it is a funny way to impress the ladies’, or to have them think you are really wierd on that first date.</p>
<p>Just took posession of My new Mini Camden and only disappointment is the Bonnet stripes are stick on and not like the fabby silver stripes I was promised</p>