Dashbot Is a $49 Robotic Voice Assistant for Your Dashboard

Next Thing Co. — our friends who have brought you various flavors of the C.H.I.P computer as well as the OTTO GIF camera — is at it again with the Dashbot. Now available as a Kickstarter campaign, this “robot” attaches to your dash, and interfaces with both your smartphone and car radio over Bluetooth.

The KITT-like device can then give you directions, share texts, or even play music over the stereo system. If your car doesn’t “accept” Bluetooth, it also includes an auxiliary jack, or can be purchased with an FM transmitter and tape adapter if more modern methods are insufficient.

Though it has an intriguing display made from red LEDs, it’s meant to function primarily via voice control. It can even translate your voice to a text message, then read it back to you for confirmation. Perhaps more exciting is that you can order it with an OBDII connector to potentially integrate with your vehicle’s functionality well beyond the radio!

Since Dashbot is built on the C.H.I.P. Pro, you can teach it new tricks. It runs Gadget OS, Next Thing Co.’s mainline Linux-based fast-booting operating system. As you’d expect, it’s completely open source and has an open API as well.

Want one for your ride? Back Dashbot on Kickstarter now!

Update: Amazon Alexa support is coming to Dashbot! Ask Alexa to check the weather, play your audio books, and much much more powered by 1,000+ Alexa skills.