News

First 'cybercabs' hit the streets

April 6, 2005

San Francisco Examiner: New Yorkers Jim Piccione and Marco Pici were riding in a taxi one evening in March 2000 when they were struck with one of those crazy ideas.

"We were stuck in traffic," Piccione recalled. "It was raining. There was nothing to do and we thought - what a great idea - why isn't there something here to entertain us?"

This week, Piccione was on hand to witness San Francisco cabs decked out with a touchscreen system offering passengers access to restaurant listings, movie showings, news and sports scores.

The technology - which soon will be featured in 200 Yellow and Luxor cabs as part of a pilot program - was unveiled in the first two taxis Wednesday. In March 2004, the San Francisco Taxicab Commission approved the one-year experiment.

The Interactive Taxi Co.'s back seat information kiosk provides passengers free access to an array of information including news, weather, sports, entertainment options and even city resources such as library and museum listings.

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