Filed under: Etc., Technology, GMFounded in 1995 and officially launched at that year's Chicago Auto Show, OnStar has just hit its 15th birthday. After unlocking 4.7 million doors and providing over 59 million turn-by-turn routes, the tech centerpiece found in General Motors' vehicles is not ready to sit back and revel in the past. Ford is constantly improving its Sync system and The General is looking to move OnStar into the same league. The major details of it plans are not yet available but we recently learned that OnStar is testing two interesting new features; voice texting and the ability to update your Facebook status simply by speaking.
As OnStar moves into the future, let's take a look at what it has accomplished over the last 15 years.
More than one million responses to Emergency Service alerts, assisting drivers, first responders and local police departments in many life-threatening situations.
More than 146,000 responses to Automatic Crash Notifications where OnStar sent emergency personnel to a vehicle whose driver was unresponsive after an airbag deployment.
198 different coastal communities helped with hurricane preparedness through OnStar's Crisis Assist.
More than 59 million Turn-by-Turn routes delivered. What was seen as a preliminary step against distracted driving, Turn-by-Turn Navigation allows an advisor to send directions directly to a subscriber's Driver Information Center or radio.
More than 4.7 million doors have been unlocked by OnStar's Remote Door Unlock service. OnStar unlocks 1,833 doors every day, a huge convenience for people who accidently lock their keys in the car. (It happens.)
More than 147 million monthly e-mails have been sent to subscribers since launch, giving them real-time diagnostic reports of their vehicles.
Besides just helping those in need, OnStar can also "help" those with greed - the type of greed that would lead them to steal a car. If a thief manages to swipe a vehicle equipped with GM's big blue button, it can be slowed down remotely or, in other cases, OnStar can remotely block the ignition.
OnStar is a service that makes the lives of millions of customers a little easier, and we at Autoblog would like to wish it a happy birthday... as long as GM promises not to throw it a MTV-style Sweet Sixteen next year. Follow the jump to read more about OnStar in its official birthday press release.
[Source: OnStar]Continue reading OnStar turns 15, has unlocked 4.7 million doorsOnStar turns 15, has unlocked 4.7 million doors originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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