A new device called Automatic says it is designed to help motorists better their fuel consumption by providing suggestions on how to improve their driving habits.
Here’s how it works: it plugs into your car’s data port and sends information about your driving to an iPhone or Android app (whether or not you want that info to be recorded somewhere, is another story…). The app then makes suggestions on how to get better mileage and improved performance out of your car.
How does it do that? Well, for instance if you’re accelerating quickly, Automatic emits a subtle audio signal to let you know what you’re doing is wrong for fuel economy (as if you didn’t know that already…). If you respect its instructions, people at Automatic say the device can save you up to a third on gas, with the cost of only a few adjustments on your driving habits.
Automatic can do other things too, like detecting specific engine problems when the “Check Engine” light is on or alerting 911 in case of a crash.
As for its downsides, aside the fact that it’s not recommended for boy racers, it only works with gasoline cars sold in the U.S. since 1996. To see which cars are compatible with Automatic, check this link.
The device is priced at $69.95. A promo video follow after the jump.
By Dan Mihalascu
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