Ask the Car People.SM


What is a Feature? - READ ONLY

147 messages,  Last post on Apr 15, 2007 at 3:28 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views-Archives Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Buying

Messages Page 15 of 15

#140 of 147 Re: What's Next in Auto Safety [nippononly] by lilengineerboy

Apr 12, 2007 (7:30 am)

Replying to: nippononly (Apr 12, 2007 7:21 am)
Pretty soon the cars won't need drivers at all.
 
I heard about something like that, I think its called a train (or maybe a bus)

#141 of 147 Re: What's Next in Auto Safety [rockylee] by rorr

Apr 12, 2007 (7:47 am)

Replying to: rockylee (Apr 12, 2007 7:04 am)
Well, that's all well and good Rocky, but the MB is missing a VERY IMPORTANT new device that I'm sure Micky Waltrip wishes he'd had:
 
Volvo pioneers sleep detection system
 
Volvo is claiming a world first with a safety device that can monitor whether a driver is falling asleep at the wheel.
 
The Driver Alert system uses a camera installed between the windscreen and the rear view mirror, with sensors and a processor, to constantly monitor the distance between the car and the road markings.

#142 of 147 Re: What's Next in Auto Safety [rorr] by lilengineerboy

Apr 12, 2007 (8:07 am)

Replying to: rorr (Apr 12, 2007 7:47 am)
The vehicle is monitoring lane position. This is similar to the Infiniti lane departure warning system introduced 2 years ago.
The Volvo system is actually overkill for what is doing. They could get the same information from steering entropy like the standard deviation of steering wheel angle. This can also help with distracted driver detection systems.
All of the systems use similar sensing technology, its about sensor fusion and creating algorithms that optimize the data from each sensor.
I love this stuff - well working on it, I don't want something that drives for me.

#143 of 147 Re: What's Next in Auto Safety [rorr] by rockylee

Apr 12, 2007 (8:23 pm)

Replying to: rorr (Apr 12, 2007 7:47 am)
Well rorr, it's gadgetology at it's best.
 
Rocky

#144 of 147 A few new options by odie6l

Apr 13, 2007 (7:37 pm)

Fingerprint Readers
Newer cars will have "Fingerprint Readers" in order to start the car. You will need to hold your finger up to a little sensor on the dash before you can turn on the car.
 
Proximty Key
I have seen this installed aftermarket on a car. You will only need to get close enough to the car and the Prox Key will automatically unlock the vehicle. Kinda like the "Speedpass" that Mobil has. This can also be used to eliminate the need for a key to start the vehicle, just by having the Prox Key with you in the vehicle you will be able to have Push Button Starters.
 
Multi-Camera Parking Systems
Taking the rear back up camera to another level, have smaller camera's mounted near the for corners (or wheel wells) and you will be able to access them via the nav system screen for easier parking in tight spaces. You can also use this feature if you hit something on the highway (or a nasty pothole) you will be able to check your tire from inside. This can also be used in conjuction with a PVBB (Personal Vehicle Black Box (see below)) to have a instant replay of sorts for insurance companies in the event of an accident.
 
PVBB - Personal Vehicle Black Box
This little item can be used in the event of a accident for not only insurance companies, but also personal. Example, you are parked in a parking garage and someone backs into your vehicle. There is quite a bit of damage, not to worry, with the camera's from above, you will be able to see who hit your vehicle and use this as evidence if need be. The PVBB will also keep track of speed, RPM's, etc, etc., this way a parent would be able to check on a child. Police would also be able to access this information in the event of an traffic violation.
 
That's all I have for now, let the bee's nest commence stirring.
 
Odie
Odie's Carspace

#145 of 147 Re: A few new options [odie6l] by lilengineerboy

Apr 14, 2007 (7:09 am)

Replying to: odie6l (Apr 13, 2007 7:37 pm)
PVBB - Personal Vehicle Black Box have been in vehicles since the mid-90s (OBD-II collects most of that info and stores it anyway). There are few things that plug into the OBD-II port so you can track your kids' driving habbits (or just raise kids you can trust, which might be more challenging then just spying on them).
Back-up cams are being driven by safety organaztions who don't like it when mom backs over her kids with some huge SUV. Now they are trinkling down (the Prius has it, among others). The new Tundra has a back up cam that is supposed to help you line up your trailer hitch to connect a trailer.

#146 of 147 Re: A few new options [lilengineerboy] by john_324

Apr 14, 2007 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: lilengineerboy (Apr 14, 2007 7:09 am)
I believe the Prius also comes with a proximity key.

#147 of 147 Re: A few new options [john_324] by lilengineerboy

Apr 15, 2007 (3:28 pm)

Replying to: john_324 (Apr 14, 2007 7:35 pm)
It does with the technology package, but so many cars offer a proximity key now that the novelty has worn off. It was fun to watch my MIL, used to the proximity key in her Prius, struggle with why the door didn't unlock for her on an early 90s Honda, and also that the car wasn't going to do much without the key in the ignition.
"New Technology" doesn't stay new very long.

Messages Page 15 of 15

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement