CES 2016: Aston Martin connects Rapide

Aston Martin and global tech company Letv have released the first example of their fresh collaboration, displaying an internet-enabled Rapide S at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.

The companies signed a memorandum of understanding on December 3, 2015. It was signed to confirm technological research projects, focused on electric vehicle solutions from manufacturing consultation to ‘connected’ electric vehicle development.

Inside the Rapide S is a new centre console developed by the Letv Internet of the Vehicle (IOV) team. It incorporates a 13.3-inch high-definition touch-screen alongside a modernised instrument panel, which is now formed by a 12.2-inch screen using electronic instrumentation.

Aston’s human-machine interaction tech has also been updated with Letv’s speech recognition tech.

Letv released its Autolink car connectivity solution back in November, and the Aston display car is said to "demonstrate the capabilities of the Letv global open auto-ecosystem".

The concept machine works with Letv’s other device and can incorporate remote vehicle monitoring. It uses the car’s Wi-Fi to support Letv’s ‘LeCloud’ storage technology.

“We have successfully equipped this supercar brand with over 100 years of history with an ‘internet brain’," said Letv co-founder, Ding Lei.

“Aston Martin is renowned for the beauty and quality of its hand-crafted cars,” added Dr Andrew Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin.

“The integration of Letv advanced connected technologies into this bespoke environment is a natural progression as we look to the future demands of our customers,” he concluded.