MINI Driving App Follows You Out of the Car on Foot
MINI wants you to have “a friend with many benefits” while you’re on the road.
The British automaker just announced a new companion app that is part of the MINI Connected suite called XL Journey Mate. The XL Journey Mate not only helps the driver navigate, but also offers individually tailored information on the road, adapted to suit the current driving situation helping make every trip safer, more comfortable and more exciting. In addition, the system recognizes the driver’s preferred route and will remind them when it is time to refuel. It also sends messages about upcoming appointments or planned telephone calls, reports traffic in real time, helps find parking spaces and directs the driver on foot to the final destination.
SEE ALSO: 2015 MINI Paceman Bows in Beijing
The MINI Connected XL Journey Mate is available for the new MINI models from April 2014 and in order to use it, the vehicle must be equipped with the Wired package, which includes the navigation system. To take advantage of the app, users need an iPhone. Once the smartphone is connected to the vehicle, the XL Journey Mate will take over guiding the driver to the nearest gas station when necessary while suggesting possibilities for parking near the destination.
GALLERY: MINI Connected XL Journey Mate
Discuss this story at our MINI forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu
Comments
Join the conversation