GERMANY // An application called Dude, that developers claim helps improve your driving, has won an innovative competition by manufacturer Volkswagen.
Described by its creators as "an adorable, little helper", Dude relays information by using five different symbols. The patch signals when you need to take the car to the repair shop or reset the repair-timer, dirt means you should activate the Wipers, zzz means you should take a driving break, sweat or a facial expression means you should drive slower, while emission clouds advise you to keep fuel consumption under a certain level. Developers say it informs the driver "about all the important information needed to improve your driving skills and to take care of you, your car and the environment".
Volkswagen's App My Ride competition, which offered prizes including cash totaling around ?14,000 (Dh65,525) and an internship at Volkswagen Group Research, launched in May. It invited entrants to upload ideas for applications that could be used in future Volkswagen infotainment systems. A community of app developers and a panel of VW execs chose the winner.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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