Monthly Archives: July 2017

Jul 28 2017

How in-car connectivity can make you a safer driver

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By this point you’ve either embraced the VOIP revolution or you’ve held it at arm’s length. There’s definitely something to be said for home-connected products with the Amazon Echo being the huge smart hit of 2017. In fact, tons of us are now regularly brain-dumping chores like online shopping & scheduling appointments into our smart speakers, or indeed bypassing Google and asking Siri instead.

So when Volkswagen revealed that it was combining the Alexa Voice Service with Car-Net functions earlier this year, there was plenty of excitement about how this would revolutionise the auto industry and move cars even further into the 21st century. However, not simply a fad for early tech adopters, this new technology can also help drivers become safer behind the wheel — a fact made even more poignant following a few significant changes in the UK road laws.

Here, VW dealership Vindis explores why this is the case:

What is Volkswagen Car-Net?

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Car-Net involves everything that is related to the in-car internet connectivity within Volkswagen vehicles; whether that’s hi-tech maps to help you navigate unfamiliar streets, streamed music to keep drivers alert, or even innovative means of monitoring what’s going on between back seat passengers.

The main parts of Volkswagen Car-Net are as follows:

Guide & Inform

Just because you are behind the wheel, it doesn’t mean that you need to be disconnected from everything going on beyond your car. The Guide & Inform services of Volkswagen Car-Net works to keep you better informed with the stuff that matters to you whenever you’re driving. Compatible with the German manufacturer’s Discover Navigation infotainment system, features include:

  • News - Pre-select news feeds that interest you and then the latest stories are imported from the customer portal as the headlines break
  • Weather - Receive the latest weather updates for both your current location and your destination upon your expected time of arrival
  • Online traffic information - Keep informed about the current traffic situation, both on the road you’re on and those ahead
  • Fuel information - Select the ‘Fuel Info’ search function to locate all nearby filling stations, when they are open and how much the fuel prices are
  • Parking information - Let the ‘Parking Info’ feature inform you of all free parking spaces in your vicinity, as well as opening times and prices

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Security & Service

Alongside the infotainment features listed above, Car-Net can also give you added peace of mind.

  • Emergency Call Service - In a serious incident your vehicle will automatically call for help where the driver may be unable to
  • Breakdown Call - One press of a button and Volkswagen will make a call for breakdown assistance to the Volkswagen Roadside Assistance service. No need to know where you are, or have phone reception
  • Vehicle Health Report - This presents you with any existing warning messages or service events before you even begin driving, avoiding unwanted surprises during a journey

How does Alexa Voice Service combine with Car-Net?

The Alexa Voice Service and Car-Net combination will benefit you in a similar way to home connected devices. If, whilst driving, you suddenly remember something that you need to do once you reach your destination, simply inform the system through the power of your voice. Perfect for those of us who never stop working, you can now schedule appointments and plan errands on-the-go, without the need to pull over and jot things down.

Car-Net mixed with Alexa Voice Service functions will even be able to be controlled away from your vehicle. For example, you can program a voice command such as “Alexa, ask Volkswagen the way to the nearest bakery” when you’re at home and then hear the message come through when you’re next behind the wheel.

Where does the safer driver aspect come into play?

Advancements in in-car connectivity couldn’t have come at a better time. Rightly so, in March 1st 2017, the Government doubled the penalty for getting caught using your mobile phone whilst driving to six points on your driving licence and a £200 fine (that includes whilst waiting in traffic or at traffic lights). In-car connectivity negates the need to pick up your phone, allowing you to focus on the road.

Far from being a toy reserved for the tech savvy, recent research into mobile usage whilst driving reveals the need for in-car connectivity is a very real one. For instance, a survey of over 1,000 motorists carried out by price comparison site MyCarNeedsA.com revealed that 20% admitted to making calls when driving, 6% checked social media and 2% texted. The stats from this research, reported on by FleetNews, also included the fact that a staggering 66% of drivers said they have texted when stuck in traffic.

Figures obtained by the Press Association and reported on by The Independent further highlight the problem. The stats reveal that close to 6,000 drivers have been caught illegally using their mobile phones in the four weeks since March 1st — one motorist every seven minutes.

“Driving is a safety-critical activity that requires our full attention. Hands need to be on the wheel and eyes looking out of the windscreen, not down at the phone screen.” RAC Foundation’s director Steve Gooding

By continuing to advance in-car connectivity — especially with hands-free technology like Alexa Voice Service mixed with Volkswagen Car-Net — it stands to reason that greater in-car connectivity will produce more attentive drivers.

Jul 28 2017

Addressing the problem of pet obesity

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We are a nation of pet-lovers. Just like we reward our children (and indeed ourselves) with treats and toys, it’s very easy for us to show our affection by doling out an extra scoop of food into our pet’s bowl, or slipping them a few extra treats.

However, what we may think is “just a bit extra” can actually be harming our pets’ health. Obesity is among domestic animals is becoming a real problem here in the UK, and according to research by the PDSA, one third of dogs and a quarter of cats are overweight — a scary statistic that shows no signs of abating.

Billy

The PDSA attribute the trend for chunky pets as directly correlative to Britain’s junk food culture. As we reward ourselves for surviving the week with a cheeky Indian, we are unconsciously rewarding our pets in the same way. Worse still, some of us even share our treats with them.

While an overweight pet may look cuddlier, the health implications are substantial. If your pet is carrying excess weight, they will likely find it more difficult to get around as greater strain is placed on their joints, and indeed heart. The effects of this are more likely to felt in warmer weather, with our pets appearing more lethargic and irritable than they usually are. .

The above are just the visible symptoms of pet obesity — it can also lead to serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and respiratory diseases.

Your animal’s weight can be influenced by a number of factors—not just its diet. Things like breed, age, sex and whether it has been neutered or not can all play a part. However, the most common cause of obesity in pets is diet—and, as an owner, it’s your duty to do all you can to ensure they get the right nutrients in the right quantity.

This is often easier said than done so dog food retailer Feedem - who offer a range of grain free dog food - have popped together some useful tips to help.

Is my pet obese?

Before you can determine the best course of action, you must first establish whether your pet is overweight. Here’s how to examine your cats and dogs to check their weight:

Cats

    • Ribs, spine and hip bones should be easily seen and felt.
    • When looking from above, the waist should be clearly visible.
    • The stomach should only have a small amount of fat and shouldn’t sag.

Dogs

    • The outline of your dog’s ribs should be easy to see and feel.
    • When looking from above, the waist should be clearly visible.
    • From the side, your dog’s stomach should be tucked up.

If your pet fails any of the above checks, the temptation is to immediately put them on a diet. However, you should always speak to your vet to gauge whether this is an appropriate response, and how best to go about it. Dramatic overnight changes might not be the safest option.

How can my pet lose weight?

Just like their owners, there are two ways your pet can lose weight: limiting their diet and increasing the amount of exercise they receive.

It’s really important to feed your pet a food that’s suitable for their age, lifestyle and health status in order for them to get all the nutrients they require. Fortunately for us, most reputable pet food brands take most of the guesswork out of this with clearly labelled diet plans and formulations. Most human food does not nutritionally support cats or dogs, so should be avoided.

Owners should also better monitor the amount of food given. Whereas cats usually prefer several small meals a day, a dog’s intake is best guided by their vet. Reward your pet with extra cuddles or new toys rather than treats.

Again, it’s always best to consult a vet before undertaking a new exercise regime for your pet, but it is likely an obese pet will be required to do more. The amount your dog needs will vary between breeds. For example, smaller breeds like a pug, a bichon frise or shih tzu will need around 20 minutes a day, excluding indoor play. Larger breeds like dalmations, boxers and border collies will need more than two hours. Take a look at this graphic from the PDSA to find out how much exercise other breeds require.

You can up your cat’s exercise by encouraging them to play with cat toys. This should get them jumping, pouncing and leaping around. You’ll most likely discover their activity levels will naturally increase as they drop the lbs too.

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