Abstract
This article describes some of the telematics applications that could be fitted in cars. There is debate among manufacturers as to how much of this technology is wanted by the driver, and sales are still slow. Some applications could have safety potential, such as location sensors; others business or social; and others provide information for the driver. However, manufacturers are reluctant to be the first to take the risk on providing such services. Voice activation is being brought back into cars for use in controlling telematics applications: the author speculates that voice control of a personal computer would be possible.