While cars have use computer systems for quite a while it looks like the plan to integrate Intel’s consumer chip, the Atom, into cars such as the BMW and Mercedes is a sign of truly ubiquitous computing.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz expect to get the units in cars sometime in 2012. Mercedes-Benz will make the systems available to buyers of its S-Class and C-Class vehicles. BMW will have them in the 7-series.

Intel’s Paul Otellini said these would be just the first of many in-vehicle entertainment systems based on the Atom platform.

No word on specific functionality yet but we assume it will be used to extend the existing extensive functionality of the in car entertainment used by both companies.