Over this past weekend we had the interesting experience of trading a number of emails with a well-known executive from the automobile industry. Not only does he sit on the BoD of a world leading auto manufacturer, but he has a variety of other experiences that make him a truly unique individual. We have to admit, it was exciting to be engaged in a dialogue about an industry that benefits increasingly from computing platforms and how we (Genesi) might assist in the development of new business models for that industry. What do you think sparked the discussion?

The PowerProjectCenter

We wrote something about this discussion this morning in a blog entitiled Start Your Engines!. More than anything, the concept of change and introducing change to an organization (the company) and a market (the consumer) was the focus. Here is the conclusion of the matter: participation is a process and when the end user is involved the results are better and the market develops faster.

We are sure yet if this dialogue will turn into anything more than that at this point, but it was notable just the same that we were ask:

What do you think?

We will think harder!!!

In the meanwhile, is there any one out there that wants to work on this, because we would like to know...

What do you think?

R&B

_________________
http://bbrv.blogspot.com

Hey ! I did not know there were Open source cars !
That's amazing !
The problem is the cost for making one I guess... It's not the same cost as for buying a case for an Efika.
What would be the project exactly, and what could we do on it ? (I love sport cars )

Outside of the computer industry response #2 received...

This is not necessarily about a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. This could be about a _farfegnugen+iPod cool/green/Segway+electric/ hydrogen fuel cell or biomass something_ else.

Here something we wrote recently that applies:

Hierarchically flat, collaborative groups are best positioned to take advantage of these characteristics. Not only can flat informal organizations access information more effectively, they can use it faster as well. Networking and using networked information requires 21st century organizational principles (and Principals!). Collaborative communities operate in the decision making cycle of companies. Rapid dissemination of information allows for ideas to be applied and improvised to speed innovation and products forward.

The network is the car!

Hopefully not last words:

Winning in business takes innovation, sometimes you have to create a market where none exists to survive.

R&B

_________________
http://bbrv.blogspot.com

Exactly; that is called "Blue Ocean Strategy". That is how Chrysler rejuvinated itself with the mini-van, and how Apple reinvented itself as the music company with the iPod. They created markets that before had been nonexistent.

That is what we are doing with Power. That is what the future for our movement is: creation.

You are right Alex!

The point is: It is one thing to build inexpensive cars. It is entirely another thing to build a kit that can be built into different kinds of vehicles. Like the Model T, it is easy to build, but with a slightly different part list it can be a Model R or a Model S. The engine is the heart (where the money is), but the brain is a computer based on open source software (where the "connection" is). The computer is adapted to the Model being built. This mimics our power2people plan. We are looking a setting up a tightly bounded "open source" _build-a-personal-transportation-vehicle_ project.

As mentioned, this can be tied to a satellite network, etc. - a super OnStar if you will. This would seem to be a competitive advantage if organized properly and could be set up comparatively quickly. I completely disassembled/assembled a jeep engine in a morning as a teenager. That is what emerging markets need. The other "high-tech" part is the computer/communications system that links you to the rest of the world. Make the internet part of the car. The network is the car. (credit to Sun/Gage). As you know, if you get the world participating with you, you have long term interaction.

We think Device ID and identity management are all part of this. We have been working with smart cards for years and we see the car as a "platform."

Are you interested? We have more detail and information to share. This opportunity fully leverages the core motivations behind the open source movement - not to mention the co-marketing/collaboration possibilities with Universities worldwide.

"Winning in business takes innovation, sometimes you have to create a market where none exists to survive."

Sincerely,
(Raquel and) Bill

_________________
http://bbrv.blogspot.com

Get it?!

fahrvergnoogle

The car that takes you where you want to go!

Google Earth! Earth Google!

FAHRVERGNOOGLE.COM
FAHRVERGNOOGLE.NET
FAHRVERGNOOGLE.ORG
FAHRVERGNOOGLE.TV

Let's go!

R&B

_________________
http://bbrv.blogspot.com

Look for an article on this Project in the next couple of weeks:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/

R&B

_________________
http://bbrv.blogspot.com

Here is the prototype:

Moonbeam

We think the concepts are solid and the parts can be standardized without having to cut up a couple of scooters. Think about a centralized "parts" depot. You come; you build; you drive away. We will need to simplify the process, but we think we can do it.

We will see if we can tie it all into this: Microlinks (as we are working with USAID now and meet with them this week).

This could truly be a global project...

If you don't try, you don't know!

R&B

_________________
http://bbrv.blogspot.com

Jory says OK.

Great!

R&B

_________________
http://bbrv.blogspot.com

this was one of my project ideas essentially. The goal was not the control of the car through the efika, but rather networking cars together to share information that would be gathered automatically. (traffic, emergency, etc) through a mesh network of types.

OK, can you post more details about your idea. We may have some additional support we can provide/channel...

R&B

_________________
http://bbrv.blogspot.com