HARD-DRIVING

The European Space Agency (ESA) has designed and (with BMW) prototyped a receiver and digital recorder that allows car-bound listeners to preprogram, record, fast-forward, and rewind satellite-radio programs -- as well as video, games, and other digital media. The ESA's system converts satellite signals into digital files that are stored on a hard drive. Then software developed by BMW allows the driver to customize a music experience while simultaneously playing video for the kids in the back or downloading software for the vehicle's computer. The ESA's receiver uses signals from existing satellites -- so instead of costing about $1 billion for a dedicated satellite and network of towers the tab could be as little as $1.5 million a year to rent a satellite transponder.