Design Your Own MINI Rail Accessory & Win Autographed MINI Design Book

Yesterday we told you about the center rail in the forthcoming MINI crossover. Today we’re giving you a chance to design your own accessory that fits on the rail. But the best part? Come up with the best idea and we’ll give you an ultra-exclusive copy of the new MINI Design book autographed by MINI Design head Gert Hildebrand.
Here’s how it works:
1. Come up with the idea.
2. Post your idea in the comment section below (a sketch or even a Youtube video of you explaining or even a very detailed description it of course will help.
3. After 30 days we’ll send the ideas to the MINI Design team and they’ll pick the winner.
Of course really the best part? If it’s a good enough idea, you may even see it end up in a MINI someday.
All submissions need to be in within 30 days of this post!
Need a refresher on the rail system? With the MINI rail you can add and subtract different components depending on your needs. Want an armrest? Easy, snap it in and position where needed. Need an iPhone holder? MINI will surely have that covered. What about different devices? Again the beauty of the system is that MINI can offer a array of options depending on what you need. They even see the aftermarket stepping in and offering all sorts of accessories for things we can’t even imagine. But for more information on it straight from the people that know best, watch the video above where Gert Hildebrand (Head of MINI Design) talks about the concept behind the rail.
You can see a few excerpts of the book below.
106 Comments
<p>Things like a video recorder, iPhone, or Apple Tablet mount on a flexible gooseneck would be useful front or rear. Perhaps a (MINI branded) map light on the gooseneck could be useful to a reader in the back seat.</p>
<p>Along the lines of the gooseneck mount, I would like something that could hold a paper map or document open to a particular view. While I’ve got navigation, I pick up local maps, etc and could often use a third arm.</p>
<p>Not very sexy, but a tray with a cup-holder might be useful in the back, or a laptop stand.</p>
<p>Lots more, I’m sure will come to mind.</p>
<p>As a dog lover I’d love to see a dog bowl that sits on an arm anchored to the rail that extends either right or left depending upon which seat your dog is strapped down in (with a doggy belt that is). Of course the bowl would be shaped in such a way to minimize potential spills traveling along a bumpy road, for instance. This would work especially well with a dog gate that permits a small opening for the rail system to go underneath to allow for the doggy bowl to go on the inside. Sketch to come soon…</p>
<p>A Motoring Clock, how many hours you were moving. Movement based.</p>
<p>Maybe a Ralley Light in the center( like mood Lighting), when you are in ralley mode the center lights turn red! It would be party time for the ralley.</p>
<p>Iphone holder would be a snap in part in the armrest. Like before. BMW ULF.</p>
<p>Or for people who like to travel a snap in that resembles the locations, like the palm tree snap in and its a snap in only bought at certain MINI parts department for the places they have been. No ordering on the Phone guys!</p>
<p>Let see.
A mount for coffee, like a Venti drink that actually holds the drink when turning in your MINI.</p>
<p>Heck have MINI give away the first design that wins, launch it when they go on sale.</p>
<p>Do you need drawings?</p>
<p>BTW they could pair up with SBUX on this one and make them SBUX green for the coffee cup holder.</p>
<p>A very cool offer from Mr. Hildebrand, I will promptly take myself out of any contention for this though as I think MINI would rather send a small explosive device to me over my R60 beliefs than a book ;)</p>
<p>I do look forward to seeing what you creative people on Motoringfile come up with though.</p>
<p>Dual screen monitors, one facing left hand rear seat one facing right hand rear seat, not too big but not too small. Screens connected to a DVD/BluRay system in the car with any wiring run up the inside of the centre track into the centre stack. Also if TV has been an option in the car have the dual screens act as tv’s in the back. Or simply have a dvd player built into the screen.</p>
<p>Have the screens finished in the same materials the customer has selected for the car, for example the “surf blue” interior or piano black or brushed alloy etc.</p>
<p>I think this would be very cool.</p>
<p>To accompany this a plastic popcorn holder again matching the trim of the car.</p>
<p>An armrest containing 2 flipout trays (1 per side) for a mobile work surface or mobile dining as in passenger rail travel (allowing for clever MINI advertisements playing off “rail”!).</p>
<p>And my inspiration for this simple but very useful R60 accessory and accompanying tongue-in-cheek advertising motif? I just recently travelled 800km on VIA rail in Canada because I put my beloved R53 JCW in storage for the winter! :)</p>
<p>A third seat :)</p>
<p>Because this is marketed as the family MINI, it would be nice to see something that would snap into the rail that could keep a child in a child seat happy. Maybe just a mirror to see whats outside if you are the child in the child seat.</p>
<p>A folk mount for a bicycle so I can take my bike anywhere and not have to by a roof rack. Maybe something I could snap my ski’s into so they don’t have to travel on the roof.</p>
<p>A retro-themed MINI “MOBILE GAMING SYSTEM” that features classic 2-player panel/board games that clip securely into the centre rail and allow the 2 rear seat kids-of-any-age to challenge each other to games like “Connect Four” (ideal application since vertical orientation), checkers (magnetized and horizontal orientation), etc. Â </p>
<p>The MINI “MOBILE GAMING SYSTEM” is in keeping with MINI’s playful character and clever wit:
Fully aware of “gaming systems” being nearly always electronic, with kids in other traditional/predictable/boring vehicles zoned out in the virtual world on individual media screens – in the R60, kids-of-any-age interact with each other in real-world games. :)</p>
<p>A ‘flip’ styled device holder. The holder could accept various device specific chargers and allow flipping (like a ‘card catalog’) between devices.</p>
<p>My ideas:
1. Flip up tray table for kids (or grownups who think they’re kids 🙂 to eat their cheerios from while in their car seat.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Cargo barrier fence/net to block off the space between the front seats and back seats. Useful for keeping dogs from helping you shift or for items to say in the back.</p></li>
<li><p>DC power ports. I don’t know what the power situation is with the rail but it would be great to have a power plug available to the back seat passengers. I know there’s probably one in the way-back but if you’re loaded up for a road trip, you won’t be able to get to it. Having one right in front of the back seat means that your kids’ dvd players and such will keep running for the whole trip!</p></li>
<li><p>MINI Steering Wheel. Think of the opening sequence from the Simpsons where Maggie appears to be driving the car.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>A jelly bean jar with a rail connector at the bottom.</p>
<p>The creative wheels are turning. The idea will be cranked out soon enough… expect something amazing! :D</p>
<p>So Mini gets the idea, can build it and sell it with all the accompanying profits and I get an autographed brochure? No thanks, I’ll keep my ideas to myself.</p>
<p><b>Glangford</b>, it’s a lot better than keeping your ideas buried in a dusty brain where they will never see the light of day. It’s a great creative exercise for your mind and an opportunity for them to implement your design, which could have an impact on the MINI community. That’s all the reward I need.</p>
<p>For a good time while in the back seat, a MIIN Bowling Game. It comes with 2 MINI bowling balls, 10 MINII pins, scorecard and a pencil. Set up the pins at the frontmost part of the rail and start bowling!</p>
<p>I will think up some more serious ones now.</p>
<p>When you are done with the game the pieces fit into a case that plugs into the rail.</p>
<p>A compass</p>
<p>Definately a Tripod for the camera. Put it on video record, auto-picture taking or even a remote and free up the driver for concentrating on motoring.</p>
<p>Being a 30 day contest, you may want to at least sketch your design when you enter as suggested, lest someone take your vague idea and win with a good sketch. I don’t really see how an idea alone would end up winning.</p>
<p>Here’s my idea, an iphone dock that can hold the phone for the driver, or passenger, but that uses a wireless or bluetooth connection to connect with the car’s speaker system. Thus, if you don’t have a good radio station, the driver and passengers can listen to whatever they want, without too much radio interference, or talk on the phone without needing to hold it up. The rail looks like it could be a good opportunity to allow the device to be slid from the front to the back, so the passengers can operate it as well.</p>
<p>A cocktail shaker. If there’s one thing the British taught us, it’s that a few things should be shaken, not stirred.</p>
<p>I could also see a g-force activated lava lamp. Lava lamps have a British heritage as well and tied to the above. Just google “lava lamp hisotry†to learn more.</p>
<p>My idea: Make the rail removable without messing up the interior. Not all of us want a rail.</p>
<p>I take back my previous post…</p>
<p>Idea: MINI Motion Flashlight – Recharged by the dynamic motion of your MINI Cooper.</p>
<p>A big fat cigar ashtray!</p>
<p>My idea would take two very similar current MINI Motoring Accessories and combine them somewhat. Make an Urban Chill box for the center rail that comes with various different styled cases that the client can choose from like Checkerboard, Union Jack, Black Jack, or just plain black. Make it lockable. This would be the ultimate trip companion as it doesn’t need to be too big but at the same time it would look super cool and additionally add functionality to the center rail to keep drinks and sndwiches cool on long trips. This would free up more space in the Boot for cargo/luggage.</p>
<p>two words: Disco Ball</p>
<p>How about just a snap-in cover to hide those rails? Something black plastic that would not only cover the bright silver, but keep junk from getting caught in the crevices :)</p>
<p>My idea is a simple one that I think could be easily implemented: cup holders. Because MINI has said that the rail would be able to provide power – I have a couple of ideas. The power could be used to sense the drink temperature and then indicate that by a ring of blue or red lights. Although not functional, it would be cool and gimmicky. The power source could also be used to actually keep a drink warm, but I don’t think it would be as easy to cool a drink.</p>
<p>Taking the cup holder idea to a new level – I would suggest that MINI design specific cups (multiple types) that would actually lock into the cup holder. Although I don’t often take beverages with me to drink while trying to drive/shift – I do take coffee with me to drink once I’m at work. This would help greatly in making sure that nothing is going to spill or tip over by having it “snap†in place. The cool part would be for MINI to offer these cups in colors that match the body color of your car.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>snap in cup holder would be awesome. great idea!</p>
<p>how about a snap in diesel engine that everyone wants… i’m just sayin.</p>
p>@lilcoopr</p
<p>I’m an aerospace engineer. I don’t need an excercise to keep my brain from rusting. Not yet anyway…</p>
p>@lilcoopr</p
<p>I work in a field, as do the Mini engineers, where we get paid for our engineering expertise and ideas. I’m not going to let Mini get paid for my engineering expertise and ideas…They can get paid for their own.</p>
<p>it may not be strong enough but I would love a rear facing child seat or child seat mount.</p>
<p>How about a Mini Money Mover? The person in the back seat can count out the correct amount of money for drive thru meals, tolls, etc, then sliiiide the money right to the driver (this will allow the driver to concentrate on driving, instead of frantically looking about in their pockets, the ashtray, etc. for change). Also good for sharing drinks between passengers (and animals) in the front and back seats!</p>
<p>A trash bin – to keep this little gem tidy inside. btw, this will be my first mini:-)</p>
p>@glangford</p
<p>I’m sure you’ll make a ton of money by keeping your idea to yourself and this forum would benefit a lot if you’d keep your comments to yourself as well.</p>
<p>For those of us whose cars also serve as offices and family transport, a reasonably sized rubbish bin can with removable liner for sweet wrappers,paper tissues, take away cups and bags. A small paper shredder which empties into this bin would be nice as well, to destroy all those sensative notes we make during the day/week.
keep those door bins clean and tidy for essentiols such as pens, power cables, those clean tissues.</p>
<p>There are a few ideas that I am surprised ahvent made uit on here yet…but I am sure they will sometime within the 30 days.</p>
<p>An adaptive device to allow attachment of conventional car seats or booster seats up to 60lbs. Since the center (car) seat would be elvated, it actually allows for more hip room for passengers on both side compare to a 3 passenger bench seat. MINI driving parents will be glade to pay $$$$ for this assessory.</p>
<p>Here’s my idea:</p>
<p>A small, office organizer that will hold pens, business cards, cellphone, files, etc. It could include a small pop-up writing desk.</p>
<p>My apologies if I missed this but, is the rail powered (think track lighting), or will anything requiring power need to either have cords or batteries?</p>
<blockquote>“A retro-themed MINI “MOBILE GAMING SYSTEM†that features classic 2-player panel/board games that clip securely into the centre rail and allow the 2 rear seat kids-of-any-age to challenge each other to games like “Connect Four†(ideal application since vertical orientation), checkers (magnetized and horizontal orientation), etc”</blockquote>
<p>Goat’s on to something here, but perhaps the BEST game for this setting would be Battleship. But maybe instead of ships, they’ve got MINIs (Countryman, Clubman, Cooper…all different sizes).</p>
<p>1.) A room divider to keep the kids seperate.</p>
<p>2.) A small Fan to keep cool</p>
<p>3.) A laptop/portable DVD player stand.</p>
<p>4.) A flexable mirror</p>
<p>5.) portable trash bag holder</p>
<p>6.) inductive charging stand for PSP / DS / Cell Phone’s</p>
<p>Flash light holder or spot light</p>
<p>Sunglass clip + headphone holder</p>
<p>Car shade / ice scraper hold so you can easily reach it from the front of the vehicle</p>
<p>Small solar panel to keep your phone charged</p>
<p>Small solar panel with small heater and fan to keep windscreen clear in winter months.</p>
<p>Video Camera stand for taping your driving events</p>
<p>fire extinguisher bottle holder</p>
<p>sorry I am brainstorming!</p>
<p>It really depends on what electrical signals are available on the rail on what kind of far out ideas people can come up with for the rail. Without that specification, it’s really pointless trying to come up with something.</p>
<p>For instance, obviously some sort of audio input channels are provided. What about audio output? What power is provided? What kind of information can be accessed? For example, if engine tuning and diagnostic information can be accessed, I can imagine some sort of touch display to show the calculated horsepower, and torque output curves and allow adjustment of certain variables to enable live engine tuning and diagnostics. It can also provide driving advice depending on set goals — maximize fuel economy or performance, etc. But of course, fat chance Mini would ever allow that (don’t stop us from dreaming)….</p>
<p>My accessory is aimed at all of the parents who will now be motoring in a Mini.</p>
<p>It is a Multi-Dispenser. A boxy storage piece that can slide along the rails and dispense the following:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>A square bin that accepts standard size compact tissue boxes, so they can pop-up right through a cut out in the lid.</p></li>
<li><p>Circular bin for pup up wet-ones cleaning cloths.</p></li>
<li><p>Small cubby for stuffing plastic Puke bags – come on, you parents out there don’t need any arm twisting for this one.</p></li>
<li><p>And lastly a power dispenser via a quad USB outlet for powering/recharging various other devices en-route – other cell phones, GPS, gameboys, etc</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Illustrations will be coming in a follow up. I first had to stake out my conceptual ground here. ;-)</p>
<p>Heres a few
An omnidirectional speaker arrangement for a ‘center’ channel with the hifi system option. Kind of like a more refined and small version of these little guys <a href="http://www.jesusgollonet.com/blog/imagenes/plork.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.jesusgollonet.com/blog/imagenes/plork.jpg</a> I think it would be expensive but if they dont make it, i will.</p>
<p>Or a small road trip charging station with 4 cig lighter ports around the bottom, a power converter with a real wall power port, places to put devices on the top, USB ports for ipods, and and an AUX jack for any one in the back that wants to take over and DJ. This could also have a wireless hub built in somewhere.</p>
<p>Any amount of containers can be thought up, too many are going through my thoughts.</p>
<p>A GPS mount for those that dont get NAV with the MINI</p>
<p>Just a cool 20 key keyboard ‘mini’ synth</p>
<p>A robot that serves your guests in the back champagne</p>
<p>I like the compass idea, like a big round thing, basket ball sized.</p>
<p>MINI Sense, a little sensor that goes off and points in the direction of another friendly mini with the sensor.</p>
<p>This is such a fresh idea (the rail) I LOVE it.
I kind of wish i could put one in my R56 now….</p>
<p>An Alex Issigonis bobble head lighted doll.</p>
<p>For those of us who compute on the move. How about a docking station for an Apple MAC Book… I could then get a license plate that reads “MINIMAC” It would be useful for the photographers who download their cameras cards as well as safer than just rattling around within the vehicle.</p>
<p>A pair of metal “D” rings that when not in use folds to the same height at the slide. Maybe a little button that would allow slide to the best spot and remove from the slide when not in use.</p>
<p>I would like to see an attachment designed to securely hold a small ‘fast food’ or ‘to go’ bag. These small bags tend to get placed on the seats or floor and can slide around and dump food out when driving enthusiastically.</p>
p>@danglanford</p
<p>You are right, MY APOLOGIES!!</p>
<p>I”m still not going to help Mini, but I’ll help the forum members, so here goes.</p>
<p>I checked out the detailed pictures of the rail. There is air under the rail in the back seat, it doesn’t appear to sit on a conventional hump. So forget ideas I’ve seen like snap in third seats and child seats. I don’t think this will support a tremendous amount of weight and imagine the liability of a seat or child seat coming undone. So forum members I’d limit my ideas to things less than foot tall and that weigh less than about 10 lbs. (maybe 5) If you sketch it remember that it could become a projectile and plan accordingly, no sharp edges, glass, etc. Keep the cg as close to the rail as possible. Think not only what you want this device to do, but also what you don’t want it to do should it come undone in an accident or emergency braking situation.</p>
<p>I’d want a sliding tie-down point… When I go on MINI group drives, I like to take a full-sized spare tire along and I’m always looking for a convenient forward point to attach bungie cords to keep the tire in place while in the twisties. A tie-down adaptor would give a moveable place to run the bungies and it could move back and forth to the best possible position</p>
<p>What I still don’t have a clear picture of is how far this rail system extends into the front half of the car.</p>
<p>Right now it looks like its more of something that could be useful for rear seat passengers than the driver.</p>
<p>And it also kind of bothers me that this has become the “it” piece to talk about in this entirely new car.</p>
<p>I don’t know if in this economy, gimmicks like this are what will sell cars.</p>
<p>Sense this is supposed to be some sort of off-roader how about a set of auxiliary gauges for the passengers to monitor while out having fun rallying as a group. It looks as if you could fit about four of them in a row in the back if they were their own little round pods the size of the cup holder. They would swivel left and right so each rear passenger could monitor two at a time. Things such as…
• A G-meter showing lateral and maybe even vertical G’s (you know for those awesome WRC style jumps) sort of in a radar style or like if you play Forza Motorsport and go in to the telemetry mode.</p>
<p>• An altimeter possibly to show the elevation while adventuring off-road
• Critical systems temp and pressure gauges. Engine and oil temp, pressure, battery voltage, tire pressure, boost pressure, aux fuel gauge. Remember the driver is supposed to be focused on driving.</p>
<p>The camera mount is a great idea, if it were along a long and flexible type of support maybe about 3ft long it would be able to be positioned where ever. Pushed far up between the front seats and bent forward so the rear view mirror wouldn’t be in the way or positioned in the back to get a overall view of what is going on, driver passenger and outside. Maybe bent over into the passenger seat if no one is there for a view of the driver doing his/her thing.
Same sort concept would be the gorilla pod type of neck except maybe thicker to dampen any vibrations and possibly one connected at the base and one coming off the top to brace against or wrap around a headrest to further eliminate movement.</p>
<p>A soft padded (upholstered) dual armrest hump that snaps in place, provided with 4 oval “wells” to hold a pair of cellphones and/or cups. Keep the thing narrow and a bit tall, and tapered towards the front. Also add a thin slot nearer the front seat to hold maps, turnpike tickets, etc. Of course the phone ports could be powered as charging stations. Add some convenient pouches on each side with elastic tops, and give it some flash MINI logo graphics embroidered into the upholstery….</p>
<p>I’ll dub thee the MINI RestTop…</p>
<p>Ok, you can all put your ideas away, since this one has won the contest..</p>
<p>Remote controlled Nerf dart launcher that drives on the rail.</p>
<p>Really bad photoshop hacks <a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4298255306_d84788c07f_o.jpg" rel="nofollow">Here</a> and <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2703/4298255126_45bc57d9d8_o.jpg" rel="nofollow"> Here </a></p>
<p>I know this was already mentioned but I’ve been trying to post for a long time. So maybe this will finally work now.</p>
<p>It’s a collapsible table that would fold up and tuck between the rail and rear seats when not in use, and unfold individually when needed for eating, coloring, working, even put a laptop on or something.</p>
<p>It’s not as “cool” as some of the other ideas, but really practical I think. Here’s a sketch: <a href="http://gallery.me.com/manley85am#100650/IMG&bgcolor=black" rel="nofollow ugc">http://gallery.me.com/manley85am#100650/IMG&bgcolor=black</a></p>
<p>(Sorry I didn’t know how to make a link)</p>
<p>OH! It automatically did it. ok nm. Hope you enjoy</p>
<p>A rail delete option.. For those who dont want the rail..</p>
<p>Provide an insert that can slide into the rail and lock a rack system to carry bikes, skis etc. outside the car. Of course, the hatch would also require modification for this to work, sealing out the weather, while allowing the door to still open.</p>
<p>I don’t have any brilliant ideas for the accessories, but if the followings can happen, I am sure it will both be profitable for MINI and user friendly for the customers, so here’s goes!</p>
<p>1) Get rid of the cigarette lighter and any interior power outlet.
2) Have the rail able to provide power, so the base of any accessories can convert power from the rail to the accessories.
3) If this happens, the rail can surely opens endless number of accessories useful for the customers to their individual likings to a new level.</p>
<p>@Aaron Manley</p>
<p>To add to that concept. When you collapse them down they should also collapse forward with leather or vinyl on the edge that could act as arm rests as well. (So using the edge facing the passengers would now become the armrests when fully collapsed..) Just an idea for ya..</p>
<p>My idea fits into the touch screen monitor range but being a geocacher (someone who uses multi-million dollar satellites to find tupperware in the woods- <a href="http://www.geocaching.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.geocaching.com</a>) I would love to see a GPS that would integrate with caching so allow the driver to not only upload coordinates but also allow you to view descriptions, hints, past logs, & log finds being able to upload the information when in range of a wifi hotspot. There are handheld GPS units that do this already, but having a larger screen kind of a command center for when I head out with a group of cachers that would be fantastic. Limited market I know, but that’s what I’ve come up with so far.</p>
p>@Bloodvayne</p
<p>I thought about that too!! I think it could be designed for just the right height to work that way!</p>
<p>How about a small table to put my sandwich on. It should have a small cubby on the side to hold my knife and fork.</p>
<p>Seriously. Something that I may have missed. Does the rail have some sort of method for transferring power similar to track lighting so that accessories may be able to draw power without a bunch of cables laying all over the place?</p>
<p>How about a kiddie console for those children who like to play master of the universe (or Captain James T. Kirk). A little plug in console with lots of odd looking buttons that when deployed does cool stuff (for kids) like dim the lights in the back of the car, interject neat sounds over the sound system (like engine revving), disco ball light effects (coming from the console), warms rear seats or causes them to vibrate. And of course, there should be a large friendly button that says “Don’t Panic” (or one that says “Do not press this button”)…obviously in reference to Douglas Adams.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, since the Countryman will have bucket seats in the back, will seat warmers be available for them too?</p>
<p>…and to add more completely ridiculous idea for the kids in the back seat:</p>
<p>A periscope that slots through the panoramic roof! Has three viewing options: normal clear view, normal magnified view and kaleidoscope view.</p>
<p>A bubble liquid container that can be anchored in. For kids who like to blow bubbles in the back seat (comes with a built in saucer so the fluid doesn’t go everywhere as mom/dad motor around tight turns). would be great for a cabrio version or the beachcomber.</p>
<p>A train track or toy car loop-de-loop up to the front seats so kids can play with the car/train, sending it up to the front seats and back.</p>
<p>My wife and I talked this over and we think a multi-use console that had</p>
<p>1) a functional iPhone/iPod dock that would connect with MINIs new “Nav/connect to the internet system” but would leave the phone on the outside and not inside the console. MINI already has created some great apps for the iPhone and with 3G they can bring entertainment to your car in a whole new way.</p>
<p>2) Have magnetic cup holders with special MINI cups/coffee mugs (too cool) that would keep your drink secure. (for all that off roading 4X4 I wont be doing) The way we see the “working with iPhone/iPod” logo, we might see a works with “R60 MINI cup holders” on coffee mugs. I dream of this day.</p>
<p>3) Some type of cooling box that won’t turn drinks into ice but keep them cool. And have the option to turn it on/off.</p>
<p>4) Steve Rosenblum’s Nerf tank gun shooter thingy attachment, but make it laser guided. (Scroll up and check it out!)</p>
<p>5) the back of it could have a power plug for a laptop, DVD player or whatever. you pick want you want to power.</p>
<p>6) simple places for easy storage and easy retrieval (big one). I hate having to dig around a big console box and the one thing I need it always on the bottom. Make simple places to store simple things.</p>
<p>I drove 500 miles this weekend (Air Force Reserves) and I have some time to think and talk it over with my wife. Trash the dumb stuff, dont make a table, and dont make something that only fits a narrow crowd (ie: Zune adapter). Make it something that you can’t live without and you will spend 800 on it and sell it to everyone.</p>
<p>a pod mount for 7.62mm mini gun.</p>
<p>I am going with a couple of affordable, flexible solutions that would benefit more than just a select few.</p>
<p>How about a heating/cooling cup holder based around a peltier device. There could be a switch on the side that would reverse the polarity converting it from heat to cool. It would be nice to keep that coffee warm or that soda cold during a long trip.</p>
<p>A moveable power block, or a series of them. Maybe one that featured an integrated power inverter so that you could plug in a laptop or other standard edison type plug into the car. Could be useful for tailgating or when the power goes out in your mountain cabin. Another block could feature a standard 12V cigar lighter for legacy devices, with a pair of USB outlets on each side. It could be a flexible solution to charging and powering anything from a GPS to a Radar Detector, to a cell phone. The later solution could even be designed in the shape of the MINI logo with the round cigar lighter in the middle, and the USB outlets forming the wings.</p>
<p>A snap-in performance upgrade would be nice. Sorta like The Neon SRT4’s “Turbo Toys”. Included with the clip-in buttons would be an attached boost gauge, intercooler sprayer, and free flowing intake filter.</p>
<p>An integrated radar dector would be cool too. No wires hanging around the dash. Just a Valentine One remote display that clicks into the rail.</p>
<p>A modular multimedia connector unit – which enables the user to seat, say, a PS3 or Wii console (for example) and plug shortened in-built bus leads into an AC power supply (via an in-built inverter) plus built-in powered speakers with optional AV-out & headphone sockets (left & right hand sides) and/or built-in FM wireless audio transmission unit to transmit sound to the car’s FM radio (over a multitude of available frequencies).</p>
<p>Also include a games CD plus DVD storage area built into the unit plus USB and/or AV inputs for ipod/mp3 player/3G phone audio & optional video connections.</p>
<p>Further to my last post, why not design the modular multimedia unit into the shape of a centre rear arm-rest which can fold up between the rear seats (when not required or to put out of the way while in use) and possibly also be folded forward to an upside-down or sideways position to be used as rear centre armrest as required – also allowing passenger(s) to access & use the multimedia module components as required?</p>
<p>It should also be able to be unclipped and removed from the rails when not required (for additional rear luggage or cargo storage for example). Retractable cables would be ideal.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/4288389872/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/83767992@N00/4288389872/</a></p>
<p>I like the red color rail but I believe in product MINI will keep it silver above.</p>
<p>A color Rail option like the rail option would be nice.
Maybe to match the paint outside.</p>
<p>I’ve thought about this deeply for quite a bit now and I’ve come to the conclusion that the perfect accessory would be my own personal automotive rail-based version of Thing, ala the Addams family. A semi-intelligent replica human hand. That way at the end of a Rallycross or AX run or even just crossing the finish line into my driveway after the daily commute, MINI and me still in one piece, I can make like a WRC driver, shout “Yeah!” and slap five with my heretofore non-existent co-drivers hand. And of course my friendly companion, in less pressure packed situations, could hold a cool drink or my cell phone while I focus on motoring.</p>
<p>My Thing has an accelerometer and a voice module built in, which when in competition mode, calls out words of encouragement like, “Great corner, you pulled .9G in that one.” And Thing is also tied into the OBD computer, so when it notices that I’m not on full gas or brake it points at the appropriate leg and shouts, “Go, Go! More gas!” or “Brake, brake, brake!”. And if the DTC kicked in, it flops over and mutters, “Over cooked that one!” or stiffens and moans, “Jeez… how many times do I have to save your butt?!?”. For the truly hard core there could be an motorized advanced model for full on rally. It can respond to voice commands to pull and release the hand brake for those really tight corners. Very convenient and undoubtedly could provide the winning edge at Monte Carlo.</p>
<p>And at the end of every stage or run, we’d be able to shake hands and congratulate each other. As we passed fellow competitors on the way back to our pit, it would hold up a single finger and bellow, “We’re Number One!”. On the ride home, the event concluded, Thing proudly holds our winning trophy and says things like “Great driving today.” or “We’re moving up in the points.” How cool would that be?</p>
<p>Over time I expect you would develop an even more advanced domestic version designed to perform mundane chores like opening the glove box to retrieve a map, inserting a new CD or adjusting the seat warmers. Maybe even capable of wheeling about, scurrying down the rail to the rear seating area to wag a finger at a naughty child or dog thus allowing the driver to avoid distraction and safely focus on the road. Tantalizing as that prospect may be, I hope you recognize the wisdom of producing the motor sports version first, racing improving the breed.</p>
<p>Possible, practical, affordable & “must have” accessory #1:</p>
<p>A rear centre adjustable / removable armrest, whith a flip up lid. Inside is a rectangular cavity with a removable insert for holding two (potentially more?) drinks. It can be flipped up into the space between the two rear seats to fill the void or folded down onto the rail to provide a flat payload area in the rear with the rear seats folded down / forward. Instead of the sides being convex in form, have them concave to fit snigly between the rear seat uprights.</p>
<p>A 3rd Generation / 4th Generation mobile network wireless internet/email/multimedia/GPS console with fold-away touch-screen & possible fold-away keyboard, which supports wireless transmission of audio to the stereo via FM, Bluetooth or other wireless technology?</p>
<p>Main power to be supplied via a 12V accessory socket, while backup power can be provided by internal rechargable batteries to minimise unplanned outages when the vehicle is switched off or the console is removed from the vehicle.</p>
<p>Possible form factor in the shape of a cube, with fold-out faces to open & form the screen?</p>
<p>Possibly include functionality to provide audio separation between front & rear speakers as required for use in the front or rear seats?</p>
<p>(Continuing from previous post): include hands-free mobile phone voice capability, plus Instant Messaging for optional geographic-based messaging services (including option for geographic search service for required services – such as restaurants, fuel, accommodation, supermarkets, etc).
Possible “buddy” application for locating and automatically altering nearby Countryman vehicles (via GPS positioning technology) via an alert tone to open communication channels between MINIs with the same cube accessory (much like a mobile two-way radio service)?</p>
<p>Call the product Country(man) Cube?</p>
<p>A couple of more ideas. One very inexpensive and simple, the other… not so much.</p>
<p>Whether the rear seats are up or down, the rail is still accessible, so I think that there should be some sort of tie-down accessory that could hold items in place when required. Really nothing more than a couple of loops on a rail mount that you could attach some bungee cords or maybe a triangular net to. It could really increase the Crossman’s utility.</p>
<p>A powered iPad mount for the back seats. It should allow both landscape and portrait orientations. I think that the size and functionality of this device would make for a great entertainment system for the kids on long trips. Maybe the mount could even have dedicated speakers or headphone jacks so that the episodes of Sesame Street don’t disturb the front seat passengers.</p>
<p>How about a Skee ball game. It would be made of two parts. The first would snap in towards the front of the car and would consist of the scoring area (rings) and the ramp area. The second piece would consist of a Y shaped rail that would go to each back seat passenger. Each branch would have a spring loaded launcher similar to pin ball machine to launch the ball. Of course each branch would also have a cup/accessory holder. The accessory holders could have iPod/phone/zune docks built in and integrated into the game. Each player could have a set playlist and the winner from each round wins the right to play a song.</p>
<p>See my crappy sketch
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/willsisti/4311489059/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.flickr.com/photos/willsisti/4311489059/</a></p>
<p>A quick photoshop for my cargo anchor idea.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/500/medium/anchor.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/500/medium/anchor.jpg</a></p>
<p><img src="http://www.motoringalliance.com/gallery/data/500/medium/anchor.jpg" alt="cargo " /></p>
<p>A small hidden case on the underside of the rail.</p>
<p>Some things that have popped into my mind regarding the center rail design idea contest.</p>
<p>1) a Pet carrier for Fluffy(the cat) or Barky(the dog) that would prevent them from getting battered around in the boot.</p>
<p>2) an “Alternating Current 3-pronged Powerbar” same as what we all have our computers plugged into, so that anyone who needs to plug in separate devices can do so with out having to buy all sorts of different mounts and systems.</p>
<p>3) The best idea is really exciting and was developed between me and Lilcoopr:
A “Portable Weather Station/Atomic Clock” that is designed in same language as the hemispherical Nav unit seen in the first concept SAV. This would show the same information as home stations:
· Wind Speed
· Wind Direction
· Temperature
· Humidity
· Dew Point
· Barometer
· Rainfall
· Solar radiation
as well as being able to project the atomic time for rear passengers. Atomic Clocks are awesome as you never have to worry about adjusting the time. They automatically adjust wherever you are on the planet.</p>
<p>Drawings and concept ideas will follow shortly.</p>
<p>I made a youtube video of a sketch I made for a rear entertainment system the the MINI Countryman. Check it out.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO6D28Af1Jk" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO6D28Af1Jk</a></p>
<p><object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qO6D28Af1Jk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qO6D28Af1Jk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object></p>
<p>aah… If only i could draw…</p>
<p>Behold! A nifty idea IMHO, but with no Photoshop skills.</p>
<p>Ok, so the idea is a snowboard / ski sleeve that runs down the middle on the rail, so you can still have 4 people in the car and carry your gear on the inside. Sure beats having to fold both rear seats in a Cooper, or at least 1 in a Clubman. I snowboard a lot and like to carry my gear inside the car.</p>
<p><a href="http://homepage.mac.com/metromel1/images/MelisHeerensMINISleeve.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://homepage.mac.com/metromel1/images/MelisHeerensMINISleeve.jpg</a></p>
<p>Andrew… nice tie-down point illustration! It’s a great idea. I wish I had thought of it! (<a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2010/01/22/design-your-own-mini-rail-accessory-win-an-autographed-mini-design-book/#comment-291681" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2010/01/22/design-your-own-mini-rail-accessory-win-an-autographed-mini-design-book/#comment-291681</a>) :)</p>
<p>uh, i guess i am not the only one who wants to keep his ski in place on the rail
anyway
<a title='ImageShack - Image And Video Hosting' href='http://img203.imageshack.us/i/all4cargoweb.jpg/' rel="nofollow"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/7596/all4cargoweb.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/7596/all4cargoweb.jpg</a></p>
<p>greetings from Graz ;-)</p>
<p>I didn’t read all 90-odd posts so I don’t know if this is above mine… what about a coat rack. When I travel and am wearing a suit I don’t have a good place to hang my coat. The rail could support a T-bracket, one side with a cedar coatrack, the other side with some hooks for extra shirts. It would have to be far enough up on the rail that the clothes could hang into the footwell without obstructing rear vision.</p>
<p>The Multi-Dispenser is an accessory is aimed the new demographic of Mini owners that the Countryman will usher in. Specifically all the new parents who will now be motoring in a Mini. This is an accessory that responds to the realities of parenthood and provides the tools needed on the go.
It is a Multi-Dispenser. A storage piece that can slide along the rails, draw power from the rails if offered, or from the accessory power socket at the end of the rail. It is designed to dispense the following:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>A square bin that accepts standard size compact tissue boxes, so they can pop-up and be served directly through a cut out in the lid. We all know Mom likes to have a tissue readily at hand. This brings an end to the “car tissue box” kicking around in the foot well – come on, we’ve all been there!</p></li>
<li><p>A circular bin for pup up wet-ones disposable sanitary cleaning cloths. Diaper wipes, anit-microble, take your pick – the package fits right here and no groping in the hatchback when those sticky hands are ready for a mop up.</p></li>
<li><p>Small cubby for stuffing plastic Puke bags – come on, you parents out there don’t need any arm twisting for this one. Parents have two kinds of cars: ones that have easy to reach puke bags, and ones that smell like puke. What is the latency for your Mini from “Dad, I think I’m gonna be sick” to handing off the bag? Longer than 10 seconds? Well then let me introduce you to your all new car smell – you’ll be spending a lot of time together.</p></li>
<li><p>A second cubby for stashing USB cords, or your phone or the kids gameboy while it recharges.</p></li>
<li><p>And lastly a power dispenser via a quad USB outlet for powering/recharging various devices en-route – cell phones, GPS, gameboys, etc. Two facing front, two facing rear.</p></li>
<li><p>And the unit is reversable so you can have tissues closer to Mom, or the larger cubby favoring one side or the other.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>This is the “Go To” accessory for all new family Countryman owners.</p>
<p></p>
<p>More images of the Multi-Dispenser <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lamidesign/sets/72157623467092890/" rel="nofollow">here</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>trying to post an image again</p>
<p>Ah well, here is an image url:
<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4370118189_312b556cb5_o.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4370118189_312b556cb5_o.jpg</a></p>
<p>One of the first things that came to mind when I saw the new Countryman was that it would be attractive to families with kids. So my idea is for a “universal” board game holder which I tried to sketch out here:</p>
<p><a href="http://files.me.com/rtg/4g3rjf" rel="nofollow ugc">http://files.me.com/rtg/4g3rjf</a></p>
<p>There are four adjustable arms with channels that will securely hold the board in place and then there is a flexible arm that can be used to position the board. There are also a couple of spring loaded playing card holders and a dice cup. Of course, the sticky part (pun somewhat intended) is figuring out how to get the playing pieces to stick to the game board. I was thinking the kit could come with a silly putty type goo that could used to stick the game pieces to the game board.</p>
<p>In addition to working with existing board games it would also be possible to sell games specifically designed to work the board game holder. One idea that comes instantly to mind would be a mini/MINI slot car racing game, how cool would that be!</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>
<p>a remote control with buttons that send signals to navi screen in the middle console, to show up how much did you drive All4 surface conditions, how much adventurer you are, what is the altitude from sea, and maybe navigational recommend to explore with Countryman r60 to go. for all this adventure management, a remote control for backside passengers who are the boss 🙂 that would be great.</p>
<p>I’ve come up with an iPad holder. The premise behind the design is to provide a rear entertainment accessory for passengers as the SatNav/MINI Connected unit will primarily be used for front seat occupants. I’ll post the photo now, and detail it below.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The arm can rotate at the rail through 360 degrees. The elbow of the arm is a racheted pivot, and at the end of the arm where it connects to the holder is a ball joint which allows it to move in any direction – similar to a premium manfrotto tripod.</p>
<p>The iPad holder itself has design touches allowing it to integrate with the colour and trim options the Countryman owner has chosen. The interior surfaces of the pockets that support the iPad are lined with a protective suede/flock finish, which is co-ordinated to the Countryman’s Colour Line. The MINI wings logo appears in the centre of the device.</p>
<p>The telesopic arms extend to cradle the ipod, but as seen in the sketch can also contract to a shape no larger than the width of the rail for stowage. This maximises the interior space of the Countryman when the device is not being used.</p>
<p>Finally, because the iPad has an accelerometer which allows for use in portrait, or landscape modes, the entire assembly can also be rotated on the ball joint through 90 degrees.</p>
<p>Hmm, the image didn’t post. Here’s a link to the image just in case.</p>
<p><a href="http://miniclub.ie/blogimages/2010/02/ipadholder.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://miniclub.ie/blogimages/2010/02/ipadholder.jpg</a></p>
<p><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4380396003_8acdd7bd9c.jpg" alt="img" /></p>
<p>This is my 11 year old son Max’s submission. It’s a lego table that sits on the rails between the two rear seat passengers, one of which might be a kid. It’s a flat surface covered in lego studs surrounded by a wall to contain the lego bricks. In each corner of the table, is a pocket which holds unused lego bricks.</p>
<blockquote><b>Sideways Eh! (January 29, 2010) said:</b> The best idea is really exciting and was developed between me and Lilcoopr: A “Portable Weather Station/Atomic Clock†that is designed in same language as the hemispherical Nav unit seen in the first concept SAV. This would show the same information as home stations: · Wind Speed · Wind Direction · Temperature · Humidity · Dew Point · Barometer · Rainfall · Solar radiation as well as being able to project the atomic time for rear passengers. Atomic Clocks are awesome as you never have to worry about adjusting the time. They automatically adjust wherever you are on the planet.
Drawings and concept ideas will follow shortly.</blockquote>
<p>Youtube video of our Atomic MINI Weather Globe posted here:
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/confessionsofaminiac" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.youtube.com/user/confessionsofaminiac</a></p>
<p>Aaron – sorry, i must have missed your post. I think the tie-down would be really useful! Great minds think alike I guess.</p>
<p>Thomas – Love your son’s lego mount! I’d be tempted to put it in the front seat and use it at stop lights.</p>
<p>Hey Admins! Any news here? :D</p>
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