The South Florida International Auto Show Features Tomorrow's Technology Today

		SOUTH FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW LOGO South Florida International Auto Show logo. (PRNewsFoto)[TC] MIAMI BEACH, FL USA

		SOUTH FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW More than 1,000 cars, trucks and SUV's will be on display at the 32nd annual South Florida International Auto Show, which runs from November 8 - 17 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Considered one of the top auto shows in the country, the event is sponsored by the South Florida Auto-Truck Dealers Association, which comprises more than 220 dealers in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. (PRNewsFoto)[TK] MIAMI BEACH, FL USA

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- As with so many other consumer products, automotive technology is advancing as fast as new products are introduced. Whether they pop up, hide away or face you head-on, high tech gadgets and innovative doodads of every kind appear on this year's new cars. Some are improved versions of previous technology, and others reflect recent brainstorms. At this year's South Florida International Auto Show, which runs from November 8 - 17 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, visitors will have the opportunity to see the latest innovations. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021017/FLTH099LOGO http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20021018/SFAUTOSHOW ) In the entertainment segment, satellite radio is coming alive. General Motors was an early adopter and owns part of XM, one of two systems in the market. The proven OnStar system that has evolved with GM vehicles now offers an XM radio option. Sirius is another satellite system (Daimler-Chrysler and Ford are owners) and offers commercial-free radio broadcasts. Both XM and Sirius charge a monthly fee and transmit 100 channels of CD-quality sound, about 60 of which are music. The other channels deliver a mix of news, sports, commentary, comedy and other programs. For high-end multi-media users, one new system can play Sirius radio, CDs, MP3s and, with a 7-inch pop-up monitor, DVD videos. As with similar video applications, unless the screen is behind the driver, the transmission must be in Park and the parking brake set before an image comes up. Some back-seat media gadgets feature wireless headsets and remote controls. Ford Motor Co. is launching a system like OnStar, which they call Wingcast. Developed with Qualcomm, Inc., it provides voice, Internet access, entertainment and safety features. This and other auto-based systems, collectively called "telematics," are evolving with faster, cheaper technology. The smart highway isn't here yet, but for 2003 models buyers can expect more keyless entry, hands-free phones, computer-generated voices, and faster on-screen map access for GPS and other navigation services. Lexus this year offers a night vision system that projects an image on a windshield head-up display. The Lexus technology transmits a signal nearly 500 feet ahead, computes reflected data and projects an image Lexus says, "is similar to black and white TV." Another Lexus device will please Florida and other Sunbelt drivers. A climate control system in the LS 430 determines whether sunlight is concentrated on one side of the car and directs more cooled air there. Don't worry. It won't cool an empty seat -- it also knows if there's a passenger in that stream of sunlight. Safety innovations include more use of stability systems, electronic and proportional braking, and look-ahead laser assist cruise control that prevents tailgating. Also, devices that keep a vehicle from rolling downhill faster than you wish or rolling back while stopped on a slope. Variable-force air bags that protect the head, knees and other vital body parts in all seating areas are showing up on more and more cars. New tire pressure monitors use modern sensors that send pressure information by radio waves to a receiver that warns drivers of serious fluctuations.