Detroit 2008: Bose’s SeatCentric, alone in a crowd

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In a development that promises to revolutionize family alienation, Bose has introduced its SeatCentric loudspeaker system in the Nissan Forum concept minivan. Based on the time-tested truism that children should be seen and not heard, the system equips each seat position with directional speakers built into the headrests, rather like loose-fitting headphones.

Each member of your party can then select an entertainment source -- audio or video or both -- and listen to it in a separate-but-equal zone that moves with the seat if, as in the case of the Nissan, the seats rotate in the cabin. In the unlikely event that Dad has something to say to the kids, he can hit a button on the steering wheel, muting all sources and piping his voice over a loudspeaker. ‘Hey, kids, did we leave Grandma at Denny’s?’

-- Dan Neil