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103 messages,  Last post on Apr 26, 2013 at 4:09 PM

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Messages Page 9 of 11

#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)

Replying to: bumpy (Apr 21, 2007 3:45 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)

Replying to: fintail (Apr 21, 2007 3:48 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)

Replying to: odie6l (Oct 11, 2006 7:58 pm)
#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)

Replying to: msindallas (Jun 24, 2007 12:03 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."

#83 of 103 Re: 2 gadgets [imidazol97] by msindallas

Jun 24, 2007 (9:54 pm)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Jun 24, 2007 6:12 am)
Like odie61 said, why mandate cameras that require a screen inside (are you assuming everyone has to have NAVI?).
 
No, I didnt mean to say everyone has to have NAVI. What I want is a back-up camera with a screen (or display on mirror) and nothing else bundled with it.
 
If you are backing up without being able to see whats behind, no way you can know if a child has walked into the spot after you hop in the car. The camera should be treated as a safety system, not luxury.

#84 of 103 How about a child minder? by steve_ HOST

Sep 10, 2007 (5:38 pm)

Question of the Week - Should Technology Save Us?
 
"Each year, dozens of children in the US die because of a regrettable, preventable error - being left in a vehicle by a distracted parent or caretaker." The Child Minder® System
 

Messages Page 9 of 11

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