Autonet Mobile and Avis Rent-A-Car System are in talks to enable Mobile WiFi devices in their rental cars. The small notebook-sized WiFi device will be plugged into each car and will will provide the customer with high-speed internet for just $10.95 a day through WiFi hotspots.

Costing approximately $399 with a $49 monthly fee, Autonet is currently targeting businessmen but has said that it would make it available for families soon. Users may also still have to cope with limited bandwidth, battery power, and the number of auxillery power outlets relative to the number of users - results and tests which have yet to been released.

With safety issues existing while using onboard internet, Autonet has claimed that is it intended for passenger usage only. Avis is also requiring all users to sign waivers to not hold them or Autonet responsible for any accidents that might happen due to irresponsible use.

Product [Autonet] Via [DailyTech]

Honda President Takeo Fukui says that he fully expects his company to offer a vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel-cells by the year 2018 (start saving now). With Nissan already committing to having a fuel-cell powered vehicle ready by the early 2010s, perhaps the race to adopt a new form of power has begun.

2018 may seem like a long way off, but I’d rather the production and storage of hydrogen be perfected long before we start driving around in cars fueled by hydrogen (anybody remember the Hindenburg?). The price of the hydrogen technology is going to have to come down as well before any normal person seriously considers ponying up for a futuristic car like Honda’s. Fukui has said that Honda’s research has shown that $84,000 is the limit for most people for buying a fuel-cell powered car.

Whoever those people are, I want their jobs. $84,000 is pretty steep if you ask me, but I could be wrong. I just want to know when we can expect a Kia fuel-cell powered car. That’ll be the day.

Read [Detroit News] Via [Autoblog]

If you’re like me, any time you fly you’re in coach. First class is just too expensive and, frankly, there’s not enough bonuses to tempt me to fork over the extra cash. All that is about to change for international flights on United Airlines. No longer need you suffer for seemingly days on end, you can kick back, relax, and enjoy your gadget-enhanced ride in the new First Class Suite.

If the picture isn’t enough to make you want to buy a ticket overseas, take a look at this list of goodies packed into each and every one of these technological wonders of transportation comfort.

• Recline in mulitple angles
• Lay flat in a 6 foot, 6 inch bed
• 15.4-inch widescreen flat panel monitor
• Digital on-demand video and music
• 50 channels of XM branded content
• 110-volt universal laptop plug
• USB port
• iPod connector
• Noise-cancelling headphones
• Multiple storage compartments

United has put together a great package for international travelers with the First Suite. You can look forward to getting your chance to fly in comfort beginning fourth quarter 2007. I’m opening a savings account now. Maybe I’ll have enough stashed away in a year’s time to get my ticket.

Read [OrbitCast]

The system is named V2V, which stands for vehicle to vehicle, and it enables cars fitted with this device to communicate with each other. Speeds, direction, and of course location, this enables the system to evaluate the levels of warnings according to the data it has.

The system has been called ?Sixth Sense? which is quite apt really as this is exactly what it is, a sixth sense where car and driver can get information in advance. The system predicts what a car is doing in speed and direction, and can give the driver a clear warning of another vehicle on the freeway that is slowing down ahead or pulling across from the side.

The system uses a clever mix of GPS receivers, LAN networks and establishes communication with other vehicles within a few hundred meters, where the system obtains the information of speed, location, direction and acceleration.

Product Page [GM]

Zytek Systems and Lithium Technology has teamed up with Daimler Chrysler to manufacture a plug-in hybrid run with lithium-ion batteries. The 68 horsepower, 15 liter, 3 cylinder diesel engine vehicle has a max. speed of 84 miles per hour and can be charged by either an electric outlet or by regenerative braking of the car. Smart looking car, it looks like a car with a definite European flavored look.

Source [Gadgetell] via [Zytek Systems and Lithium Technology]