Audi of America will be one of the first car companies starting later this year to offer automatic toll payment built into its rear view mirror. And the aftermarket will receive the technology in the future.
Audi announced last week, it will include on select vehicles a Gentex mirror with an integrated toll transponder that works with tolls in the US and parts of Canada and Mexico. The technology removes the need for a separate toll transponder cluttering up the windshield.
The mirror with toll payment technology will be heading to the aftermarket around 2020. “Our focus is currently on our OEM customers, but our development path includes the potential for an aftermarket version of the technology,” said Gentex Director of Marketing Craig Piersma.
A prototype of the aftermarket mirror was displayed at the SEMA Show in November, said Piersma.
Despite the integration of a toll module, the mirror retains a typical form factor.
VOXX Electronics distributes Gentex mirrors to the aftermarket.
Audi did not offer further details.
The rear view mirror may be gaining as a focal point for new in-car technology. Volkswagen recently announced it is developing a mirror along with Mobvoi, initially for the Chinese market, which includes a voice assistant for controlling music, video, mapping and messaging.
Here is an earlier story on the Gentex ‘toll’ mirror.
Source: Audi of America
Pretty friggin’ cool, actually !
Mercedes Benz has been offering toll systems for decades in Europe , but they read plates now no more transponders needed. Facial recognition even personalizes tickets
a product for a need that does not exist.