103 messages,
Last post on Apr 26, 2013 at 4:09 PM
You are in the
Automotive News & Views Forum.
#76 of 103 Tech Watch: GM Readies "Smart Materials" for 2010 Vehicles
by rockylee
Mar 09, 2007 (11:03 pm)
WARREN, Mich. — It's the kind of stuff you'd envision on the Starship "Enterprise." General Motors on Wednesday showed off smart materials technology at its Research and Development Center here that it says will be installed on new cars and trucks by 2010.
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=119914
Rocky
#77 of 103 Self Driving Cars ?
by rockylee
Apr 21, 2007 (4:26 am)
Vehicles Perform Like Human Drivers
The Department of Defense is sponsoring development of unmanned vehicles. These vehicles are being tested on an urban test course and battlefield supply missions.
http://gmtv.feedroom.com/
GM, has the technology-grin
Rocky
#78 of 103 Okay, this is something new.
by bumpy
Apr 21, 2007 (3:45 pm)
Headlight washers, on the Buick (China) Park Avenue:
#79 of 103 Re: Okay, this is something new. [bumpy]
by fintail
Apr 21, 2007 (3:48 pm)
New for Buick?
I know MB has had them optional (wiper blade style) since about 1970, very common since 1986, and has had the pop-out pod like that since the W210 E-class in 1996. I don't trust those pods, to be honest...seems like something that would stop working. I've never tried the one on my car...I'm afraid it will make a mess and then not retract
#80 of 103 Re: Okay, this is something new. [fintail]
by rockylee
Apr 21, 2007 (4:05 pm)
Fintail, your being ridiculous pal. I think those are trademarks of a Mercedes.
Rocky
#81 of 103 Re: 2 gadgets [odie6l]
by msindallas
Jun 24, 2007 (12:03 am)
#2 - Rear Camera's - I understand with the backing the SUV / Truck's up it helps to see, But unless it has the fancy slide clean ability like the NASCAR in-car camera's have I can see (or not see) during the winter months when you get all the salt / slush on the back of your car they won't make a difference. File this under the "Nice, but do we need it?" category.
Read on the news today how many kids get backed over every year - by their parents/relatives, due to poor visibility while backing a minivan/SUV.
Usually, a rearview camera system is bundled with other gadgets like navigation and DVD players, not really related to safety. So most people choose not to buy it, until after an accident.
My question: Shouldn't the backup camera be offered as a standard safety equipment? Do we need a few more kids to die on the driveways before making it mandatory like the LATCH and car seat?
#82 of 103 Re: 2 gadgets [msindallas]
by imidazol97
Jun 24, 2007 (6:12 am)
> how many kids get backed over every year
Like odie61 said, why mandate cameras that require a screen inside (are you assuming everyone has to have NAVI?).
This is excusing oldfashioned job of making sure you know where all the kids are before you start your car and checking behind your car just before you get in to go back up. That's easy. Many of the accidents are caused because people don't do basic safety checks of location of everyone around and of objects beiind the car. Then when it happens it makes them feel better to say "The government should have mandated cameras or sound or infrared sensors to prevent me from backing over someone I should have checked for before I got in the car."