Refueling cars and trucks has long been a mundane task at best – but the future of the lowly fuel dispenser may be in for some radical change.
At the 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Austin, TX-based fuel dispenser maker Dresser Wayne unveiled a new prototype gasoline/diesel fuel dispensing system called the Ovation iX, incorporating Microsoft’s Windows CE operating system and NET Framework. It allows motorists and truck drivers not only to refuel their vehicles, but also buy a cup of coffee and a lottery ticket, download an MP3, and check up-to-the-minute traffic reports.
“The dispenser itself would even be able to run a quick diagnostics report on your vehicle, alert you when it's time for an oil change, and even print out coupons for the lube shop down the street,” said Dan Harrell, Dresser Wayne’s senior director of marketing and product management.
“If it sounds far-fetched, think again,” he added. “The iX Media, a standard offering in our new Ovation iX dispenser, could even allow drivers to watch full-motion, site-specific video commercials right on a dispenser-integrated 10.4-inch color display with built-in speaker. Fuel customers could even use it to print out customized coupons at the dispenser for in-store specials and other retail promotions.”
