Even though it is dangerous to drive while eating or drinking, most morning commuters still want to have their coffee on the way to work. Car designers know this, which is why they install cup holders that are easy for the driver to reach. Audi took the idea a step further and designed their concept Roadjet with a fully-functional espresso machine (above left) on the arm rest between the driver and passenger seats. This enables the driver to get his or her caffeine fix without having to pull into a Starbucks, though hopefully they will wait until the car stops before pulling a shot.
One enthusiastic Audi fan couldn't resist making a mod with his own Audi and installed a Capresso 1500 (above right) in the back seat. It is securely tied down to the seat and is powered with an inverter that is mounted on the dash. It's also a bit safer than the Roadjet model because, since the machine is in the back seat, the driver cannot operate the machine while behind the wheel.
8-22-2006 @12:12PM Roger said... Nicole, good theme.
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8-22-2006 @12:22PM Kate said... This boggles my mind. The danger of inattention, alone, makes this insane. But I can't help but make a crude observation: Why not a urinal driver's seat as well, so one never needs to leave the vehicle? ::shaking head::
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8-22-2006 @1:09PM Rhea said... I agree: this is an invitation to a car wreck. I am amazed this idea could be sanctioned by whomever overlooks "nutty accessories that may be added to motor vehicles."
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8-23-2006 @1:22AM robyn haywood said... Cool! But I think that is dangerous.
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8-23-2006 @2:08PM GL said... I'm looking at the picture and trying to figure out what happens when you make a sharp turn while your coffee's brewing. Is it just me, or is that cup not sitting very securely?
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8-23-2006 @3:24PM Mike said... The Audi picture is on the upper left, not right as the article states.
Also, it's a concept car, not a real one. This seems to have escaped the writer of the linked article since they say no pricing yet. You don't get pricing on concept cars, they aren't "real cars".
You can get 12v espresso machines, I have this one: http://tucano.stores.yahoo.net/vel2cuponcof.html Not intended for use while driving, but does come in handy while waiting for an early morning event to begin.
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8-27-2006 @10:22AM chris said... I think this is a good idea.You get tired and sleepy driving along an interstate or long wet highways and biways.The Smell Of Coffee wakes you up.You can be tired or late to work waiting on coffee can sometimes be a hassle you have to go loook for all the things to go with it.When You can drink it on the way to work
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8-24-2006 @8:57PM teresa said... Now, does anyone want to be on the road next to someone driving, making coffee, and talking on the phone, and maybe even applying make up or shaving? Why don;t they just read the morning paper while they are at it.
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8-24-2006 @9:09PM jinx said... I can't wait for the lawsuit against Audi the first time a driver spills coffee on delicate areas. Who remembers the McDonald's suit? Wasn't uninteneded acceleration enough of a hurdle for Audi to overcome? As it turned out they were proven not to be at fault, it was driver error. Why would a manufacturer that finally has a decent market share invite this kind of liability? I can't wait to drive against the overly caffeinated Audi operators. In a society that places no emphasis on personal responsibilty this is a dangerous thing to do.
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8-24-2006 @9:17PM Paul said... The smell of fresh-brewed coffee will keep drivers awake and so will the sensation of scalding coffee spilled all over your thigh. While we're at it, let's remove the dashboard airbag and replace it with a cook-top. Instead of stewing in traffic, you could be boiling your eggs or frying up some bacon on the way to work. Maybe a Buick with a Budweiser beer-tap? I'm on my way to the garage!
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8-24-2006 @9:24PM James M McD said... Two Words: BAD IDEA!! How are people gonna concentrate on driving while they are making coffee? I mean... Come on! Especially some people, who can't get their lazy butts moving in the morning without AT LEAST ONE cup of coffee! When, seriously, I'll bet ya ten to one that the greater majority need 2 or 3 cups before they really get crackin' on their work, or even just get going in the mornings (when they're off work). Ah well, another day... another dumb invention! And it's probably more dangerous than safe anyway!
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8-24-2006 @9:30PM KATHY MURPHY said... AND... CONVERT THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT INTO A PASTRY WARMER!!
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8-24-2006 @9:36PM Debi said... Although it is a good idea, its a dangerous one! Its bad enough that we have idiots driving while on cell phones and not paying attention now they want coffee machines? Lets get back to the GOOD road rules and pass a law that if they want these things in their cars then they have to pull over on the side of the road to talk or drink their coffees!!!
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8-24-2006 @9:45PM DIANA HOBBS said... And I thought cell phones were bad enough!! Kathy, they already have the car where the glove compartment keeps things cool.
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8-24-2006 @9:54PM Betsy said... Jeezus H...(concept car or not) here's hoping it never hits the assembly line! What nut case thought this one up? I agree with the majority... cell phones are bad enough, let alone a coffee maker to distract morning commuters! I would prefer these geniuses put their heads together and come up with a woman's urinal car seat (for those of us who's male partners refuse to stop at rest stops on those horrible long trips...you know, the same guys who refuse to stop and ask for directions and still have not grasped the concept of a brake pedal).
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8-24-2006 @9:56PM PJ said... Hey, Kathy,good suggestion. But how about a microwave in the glove compartment? That way nobody has to stop on the way for a sausage biscuit. They can pick up some Jimmy Dean's, nuke 'em while the coffee is brewing, and have their breakfast done by the time they get to work.
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8-24-2006 @10:06PM Leslie said... I drive back and forth across the country all the time as part of my job, often late at night. I may be the only one that thinks this is a bright idea, but I think a sleepy driver is MUCH more dangerous than a driver who has to push a button to make the coffee or dispense it. And it would not be as hot as McDonalds. That is why they lost the suit. It was kept TOO hot. This should be no more distacting than the sophisticated map systems and dvd players available today. It goes without saying that measuring the coffee and putting it in a filter should be done at the same time as filling the reservoir with water AHEAD of time. It would have to be anyway until running water is available in cars.
Years ago they had coffee pots that plugged into battery chargers in the car for RVers. Maybe they still do. I would love one of these.
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8-24-2006 @10:16PM Bell said... Where does the water come from? The radiator?
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8-24-2006 @10:17PM LEONARD said... A SAFER WAY TO DRINK & DRIVE??
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8-24-2006 @10:41PM Bonnie said... Crazy idea, of course--however, which is worse: the coffee machine or the phone on which one talks incessantly!?
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