TILTS: Automobile clocks that automatically adjust to changing time zones

It's been a long time since I've done a new entry for my often well-received Technology I'd Like to See (TILTS) series but inspiration finally hit me.

I just upgraded to a new GPS navigation unit and was happy to see that the estimated arrival time now adjusted itself to the destination's local time, much like the listed arrival times when you travel by airplane.

As much as I welcomed this new feature, it created some confusion for me as I got closer to my destination on a recent trip to Chicago. The confusion lied in the fact that, once I crossed from the eastern time zone (where I live) into the central time zone (where I was going), my clock in my car still showed eastern time while my GPS showed my arrival time based on central time.

This resulted in my GPS showing me an arrival time that seemingly had already passed.

It can't be that complicated

So I ask the technology creators of the world. Why can't the clock in my car automatically change time when I cross into a new time zone? I mean, c'mon, cell phones have been doing this for years.

And I don't want to hear that it's too complicated or that my car doesn't have access to the satellites or cell towers. Put a GPS receiver in the car. Pick up the cell phone signal (or ask the cellular providers to provide this for free) from the cell towers. Heck, get it over an FM frequency. Just make it happen.

And for the 1% that refuse to have their clocked changed automatically, make it an option to disable this feature. Turn the key, blinker up, blinker down, press the horn 5 times or whatever.

I know this can be done. Who's with me?

Disclaimer: Technologies presented in the Technology I'd Like To See (TILTS) series are based on my original (and sometimes delirious) thoughts. I present them here to the public only because I can not afford to implement any of them myself. If you steal borrow one of my ideas and end up filthy rich because of it, please remember where you got the idea and throw a little love my way. Something like a BMW or a big fat check would do just fine.