If anyone is interested there is an IC to generate the sweeping lights thing done on the front of KITT.
The IC is a five stage Johnson counter (HEF4017B) connected to a 555 to generate the clock. I had a go at making the KITT thing on a breadboard (No, not that kind, sheesh!) and it looked rather funky.
I also have a Knight Rider lights effect on my website (Using Javascript, it speeds up and down as well), but i'm sure someone would accuse me of promoting my (Crappy) website if i posted the link on here ;-P
I'd much rather it has the ability to driver the car so you can sleep - mind you given the number of car drivers turning into rivers because their sat nav told them, I think maybe not after all
Couldn't they have replicated the hardware? I don't remember Kitt ever displaying a splash screen of the hoff. It just looks like a SatNav with a theme :-( although I can think of a few better themes! It looked really slow too, how could it possibly catch up with me?
I was trying to remember other talking cars, seeing if I could spot a gap in the market.
Speedbuggy, I remember that, but that's about all. And I'm not sure he said that much. Herbie didn't say anything at all. But there was always something very disturbing about Herbie. Cars DO NOT have sex. They CAN NOT reproduce. So perhapss it's good that he did not talk. Imagine the indignity of having people in your vehicle and your sat nav gets the horn over a Micra.
The "SmartST shop demonstration" on the YouTube video is a bit of a giveaway.....I've had different voices on my Navman/iPaq combo (that uses SmartST) for about 5 years....best one's are the "naughty" voices that say:
"in 400 metres, turn left and then take me big boy.....!"
Trouble is, the phrases haven't been put together that well and sound like three or four different women taking it in turns (sic) to speak the directions....
an IC? pah... I just bought the kit from Maplins - granted the lights only go one way, but when you miss out the last few led's and put the wires to the middle ones, it goes back and forth ;-)
*sigh* I've just realised how sad I am :-( Still not sad enough to own this though, no matter how good the program was. At the time.
Even though you clarified the word "breadboard", I now cannot rid myself of the mental picture of a loaf of Mother's Pride with flashing red lights at one end.
"The device’s integrated randomized greetings and 300 custom names will welcome you to your navigation experience"
Nope, looks like the name is changable.
I wonder if it takes generic maps. I'd definitely like to get one off eBay and load it with local maps.
Now all they need is to include a USB host-capable device connector and I could just rig up an interface to hook it up to my junk of a Proton Gen-2, and let the device control it. Instant autocruise. And for kicks, hook it up to the car alarm as well and program it to make the alarm go off if someone decides to let his/her pooch take a piss on my car tires (@#!$#@ neighbour kids, trying to be funny/clever).
Garmin nuvi 255W GPS (Vehicle, 4.3" LCD)
Garmin nuvi 765T GPS (Vehicle, 4.3" LCD)
Garmin nuvi 265WT GPS (Vehicle, 4.3" LCD)
Garmin nuvi 755T GPS (Vehicle, 4.3" LCD)
Tomtom XL 340S GPS (Vehicle, 4.3" LCD)
Knight Rider satnav spied in the wild
Adrian Jackson
Not buying this... #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 10:32 GMT
...unless it also comes with a Turbo Boost button. Otherwise, what's the point?
dervheid
Not buying this... #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 11:42 GMT
wouldn't want it even if they paid ME. The most embarrassing car accessory ever. Okay, second then, after 'musical' air horns.
Simon
Knight rider lights #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 11:42 GMT
If anyone is interested there is an IC to generate the sweeping lights thing done on the front of KITT.
The IC is a five stage Johnson counter (HEF4017B) connected to a 555 to generate the clock. I had a go at making the KITT thing on a breadboard (No, not that kind, sheesh!) and it looked rather funky.
I also have a Knight Rider lights effect on my website (Using Javascript, it speeds up and down as well), but i'm sure someone would accuse me of promoting my (Crappy) website if i posted the link on here ;-P
Eponymous Cowherd
Excellent device! #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 11:42 GMT
Excellent.
Going to buy one. Not to use myself, you understand, but for all of the annoying people who know I've got a satnav and keep asking to borrow it.
GameCoder
The real thing #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 11:42 GMT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbJDP0kzhtg
I wonder how many Trans Ams they wrecked making this series?
amanfromMars
On the Cards.?! #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 11:42 GMT
Just imagine if SatNav started providing Games Co-Ordinates/Destinations for Great Games Players.
Technology Directing AIResearch & dDevelopment Players/Programmers/Systems Analysts.
PipeXXXX Virtual Chunnels? ..... with Swiss Army knife Flexibility and Facility.
Kenny Millar
It's a NavMan #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 11:42 GMT
It's a junked up navman.
Anonymous Coward
re: Turbo Boost #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 11:42 GMT
I'd much rather it has the ability to driver the car so you can sleep - mind you given the number of car drivers turning into rivers because their sat nav told them, I think maybe not after all
Anonymous Coward
Time wasting exercise #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 11:42 GMT
I heard the voice, being a KR fan, this thing just destroyed all KITT's creditbility.
Bo Pedersen
Just waiting for.... #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 12:03 GMT
The HAL9000 version that will no doubt do the whole, sending me into the river or off a cliff scenario! :)
I think I will stick with AA routeplanner :)
Tim
Not good enough #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 13:03 GMT
Couldn't they have replicated the hardware? I don't remember Kitt ever displaying a splash screen of the hoff. It just looks like a SatNav with a theme :-( although I can think of a few better themes! It looked really slow too, how could it possibly catch up with me?
Warhelmet
Speedbuggy #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 13:03 GMT
I was trying to remember other talking cars, seeing if I could spot a gap in the market.
Speedbuggy, I remember that, but that's about all. And I'm not sure he said that much. Herbie didn't say anything at all. But there was always something very disturbing about Herbie. Cars DO NOT have sex. They CAN NOT reproduce. So perhapss it's good that he did not talk. Imagine the indignity of having people in your vehicle and your sat nav gets the horn over a Micra.
John Robson
Good plan #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 13:03 GMT
"Going to buy one. Not to use myself, you understand, but for all of the annoying people who know I've got a satnav and keep asking to borrow it."
Ah, the smell of sweet revenge
Johnny FireBlade
Is it me... #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 13:46 GMT
...or does that thing sounds like Lloyd Grossman?
Looks pretty rubbish to me and actually made me shudder uncomfortably!
Adrian
Do you get #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 14:23 GMT
a complementary pair of tight leather jeans to wear whilst using it ?
Mike Dyne
Hello Michael #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 14:23 GMT
Where do you want to go today?
Sounds like they've been ripping off old MS lines...
I always thought that KITT would have been a Linux fan.
Ian McNee
But does it play... #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 15:35 GMT
...Jump In My Car when you cruise past attractive young women in your chavved-up Vauxhall Nova?
Anonymous Coward
SmartST ?? #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 15:35 GMT
The "SmartST shop demonstration" on the YouTube video is a bit of a giveaway.....I've had different voices on my Navman/iPaq combo (that uses SmartST) for about 5 years....best one's are the "naughty" voices that say:
"in 400 metres, turn left and then take me big boy.....!"
Trouble is, the phrases haven't been put together that well and sound like three or four different women taking it in turns (sic) to speak the directions....
PH, coz I'd love her voice to be on my SatNav...!
Anonymous Coward
@Adrian #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 17:45 GMT
"Do you get a complementary pair of tight leather jeans to wear whilst using it ?"
I wouldn't want to see anyone who would buy this thing wearing tight leather jeans!
pctechxp
impvoe the voice, get rid of the hoff and give it auto cruise #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 17:45 GMT
and I'll take it
Anonymous Coward
disappointing #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 23:48 GMT
I was really looking forward to getting one, but as pctech pointed out, the voice sounds really crap and just doesn't flow... i'll wait for Kitt v1.01
John
Majel Barrett #
Posted Thursday 26th June 2008 23:48 GMT
would be a much better voice. That KITT sounded horrific.
I wonder if Gates McFadden has done a Sat-Nav voice-over? That would be even better than Charlotte Green. Fi Glover would always win though.
Steve Mansfield
Greats? #
Posted Friday 27th June 2008 08:29 GMT
> the GPS gadget greats you with “Hello, Michael,
> where would you like to go today?” when
> you turn it on.
Shouldn't that be 'greets'? Or, seeing as how it sounds like it would be *really annoying*, how about 'grates'?
Icon? Bill Grates ...
Anonymous Coward
@simon #
Posted Friday 27th June 2008 09:38 GMT
an IC? pah... I just bought the kit from Maplins - granted the lights only go one way, but when you miss out the last few led's and put the wires to the middle ones, it goes back and forth ;-)
*sigh* I've just realised how sad I am :-( Still not sad enough to own this though, no matter how good the program was. At the time.
TeeCee
@Simon #
Posted Friday 27th June 2008 09:38 GMT
Even though you clarified the word "breadboard", I now cannot rid myself of the mental picture of a loaf of Mother's Pride with flashing red lights at one end.
Must be Friday.
Benjamin Ford
Circumstances #
Posted Monday 30th June 2008 08:59 GMT
At the next set of unlikely Circumstances turn left.
Or
At the next good looking woman in trouble you have arrived at your destination.
Anonymous Coward
@Michael by default #
Posted Wednesday 9th July 2008 09:31 GMT
http://www.mio.com/us/mio-technology-press-releases-17833.htm
"The device’s integrated randomized greetings and 300 custom names will welcome you to your navigation experience"
Nope, looks like the name is changable.
I wonder if it takes generic maps. I'd definitely like to get one off eBay and load it with local maps.
Now all they need is to include a USB host-capable device connector and I could just rig up an interface to hook it up to my junk of a Proton Gen-2, and let the device control it. Instant autocruise. And for kicks, hook it up to the car alarm as well and program it to make the alarm go off if someone decides to let his/her pooch take a piss on my car tires (@#!$#@ neighbour kids, trying to be funny/clever).