Car or computer? How transport is becoming more connected (BBC) {optimizing travel}

By Kabir Chibber
Technology of business reporter, BBC News

While few would blink any more at the sight of a Mini Cooper alongside their own vehicle, some may have noticed a few of their models out and about at the moment that are strangely quiet.

And their silence masks some heavy-duty engineering under the bonnet.

They are among the 612 Mini E cars being trialled in the US, UK and Germany since 2009.

These plug-in electric models are leased to customers, and BMW - the owner of the Mini - is monitoring every aspect of the cars' use, in almost every scenario, as they are put through their paces.

The amount of data that can now be collected about how drivers use their cars is unprecedented. And the impact of so much information is potentially huge.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11832473