New Car Technology Tells Tailgaters To Back Off

In 2009, more than 30,000 Americans were killed in car crashes. Most of those accidents were avoidable — the result of driver error.

Now, the auto industry wants to cut down on traffic deaths by using vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology.

The technology enables cars in close proximity to one another to share information wirelessly. The premise behind it is that most crashes are avoidable if drivers have enough time to react.

This isn't exactly a new idea. A General Motors film from the 1939 World's Fair imagined a technology similar to what's finally making it onto roads today.

Avoiding Pileups

In an empty parking lot in Washington, D.C., Ford Motor Company engineer Joe Stinnett demonstrates how its "" technology works today.

He follows two other cars closely — too closely. It's the kind of scenario that often leads to 60-car pileups.

"So, we're just going to drive down to the end of the track here," Stinnett says. "At the end of the track, the lead vehicle is going to hit the brakes. So, you can imagine if this was a foggy or snowy day with limited visibility, this would be even worse."

All three cars are equipped with a small GPS and Wi-Fi unit, just like inside a smart phone.

Ford is investing heavily in the technology and plans to launch a fleet of prototypes equipped with it this spring. The cost is pretty cheap — about $100 per car. And it lets cars communicate things like latitude, longitude and speed with one another at a range of about 1,500 feet.

"They're monitoring the position of all the vehicles around you and determining who is an immediate threat to your vehicle — and what type of threat that vehicle is," Stinnett says.

An alarm sounds in Stinnett's car because he's following the other vehicles too closely.

"So, basically, what you saw was, you saw the lead vehicle's brake lights go off, and then you immediately saw the alert go off in this car — even before you had this vehicle ahead of you, before you saw their brake lights," he says. "So, you get that advanced alert."

Installing The Technology In All Cars

Ford is working with most of the world's other major automakers to turn this technology into a basic safety feature of every car.

This vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology will be most effective if pretty much every car on the road is equipped with it.

James Sayer, a safety expert at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, says giving drivers a few extra seconds of warning before a crash could dramatically reduce traffic accidents.

"It still is the case that the weakest link is the driver," he says. "The vast majority of errors in driving that lead to crashes are because of the driver. It's rarely the case that the wheel falls off."

Privacy Concerns

There is one concern about this technology that the auto industry is very sensitive to: privacy.

After all, cars could soon be telling every other nearby car — and who knows who else — details about location, speed and where they've been in the past five minutes.

Ford and other companies are trying to make that data as anonymous as possible.

"The fact that we walk around the streets with smart phones all the time means that, essentially, the phone companies can track where we are if they wanted to, so I think there's lessening concern on the part of the public about the privacy," Sayers says.

Limited trials of vehicle-to-vehicle communications technology will start later this year. If they're a success, the government could mandate that all cars be equipped with these devices before the end of the decade.

Article Credit: www.npr.org

Kia Forte Sugarland

Kia Soul Sugarland

New Automotive Technologies

According to J.D. Power and Associates research, there are 10 new automotive technologies in which car buyers are most interested. Following is a list of the technologies and a brief explanation of how they work:

1. LED Headlights--LED headlights burn brighter and last longer, but are also more expensive. Full LED lighting is typically available only on premium brand vehicles, but LED running lights are now offered on some entry-level models.
2. Natural Language Voice Activation--Voice-recognition technology continues to improve, and is available in a greater variety of languages. Natural language voice activation is designed to recognize normal speech patterns, allowing the driver or vehicle occupants to issue commands outside of a pre-determined list of specific words and phrases, or to compose messages that communications systems can convert into text and send to a recipient.
3. Next-generation Head-up Display--Head-up displays project vehicle data and images onto the windshield for driver reference. The latest versions can be combined with radar-based technologies to help the driver "see" pedestrians and animals ahead on a dark road, even if the headlights don't illuminate them yet.
4. Wireless Connectivity System--Technology that allows the driver and/or passengers to pair smartphones with a vehicle's information and entertainment system, wireless connectivity is offered in a wide range of models, and some also offer mobile Wi-Fi Internet service.
5. Remote Vehicle Diagnostics--The ability to check vehicle system condition remotely, or to operate vehicle systems via smartphone application, is of greater interest to consumers. Some electric and hybrid models allow for cabin pre-conditioning on hot days, ensuring that the car will be cool when you enter it.
6. HD Radio--HD Radio units receive digital AM and FM stations that a standard analog radio cannot, and they offer enhanced capabilities, such as reproducing stations in 5.1 surround sound. Broadcasters use extra channels available on the digital spectrum to expand programming that can only be heard on an HD Radio.
7. Enhanced Collision-Mitigation System--Collision-mitigation systems sound a warning and prepare the braking system to deliver full braking power when the driver reacts to the warning. Enhanced systems can apply the brakes for the driver to stop the vehicle when traveling at low speeds or to slow the vehicle before impact at higher speeds.
8. Surround-view Rear-vision Camera--Rear-vision cameras show what is directly behind a vehicle when it is backing up and gives the driver a 180- to 360-degree view of what is around the vehicle as it backs up, which adds an extra measure of visibility and safety.
9. Personal Assistance Safety Systems--Subscription-based safety systems that can automatically notify authorities of a collision if the air bags deploy, provide the vehicle's location, speed rescue to the scene of the accident, and provide a direct connection to a live operator in the event of an emergency are of interest to consumers.
10. Autonomous Driving Systems--Automakers and Google are exploring autonomous driving systems, which take full control of the vehicle's steering, accelerator, and braking systems. This technology already exists in some cars currently on the market. These vehicles offer self-parking systems that steer a vehicle into a parallel parking space, adaptive cruise control systems that automatically stop and go in heavy traffic, and lane-departure prevention systems that will steer a vehicle back into the intended lane of travel if the driver fails to respond to audible or tactile warnings. Future uses of such radar-based technology are aimed at taking full control of a vehicle.

Article Credit: www.autos.jdpower.com

Kia Forte Sugarland

Kia Soul Sugarland

New car gadgets have drivers drifting

It seems to be happening more often: The car next to you slowly drifts into your lane.

We've all noticed it; maybe we've even been guilty of it.

A wave of new technology is turning our cars into rolling entertainment centers, tempting drivers to take their eyes off the road while they push buttons on their dashboard or tap onscreen displays. It is one more distraction, along with texting and cellphone calls.

"It's maddening when you see someone looking down and they're butting into your lane," said Amber Witte, who commutes from Palm Beach County to Plantation during the week. "Your blood pressure rises when it happens to you, but we've all done it."

When motorists fiddle with their car's gadgets, "they drive slower than normal and tap on the brakes. They'll sometimes drift off course," said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Mark Wysocky.

Russ Rader, spokesman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a nonprofit insurer-funded group, said more research should be available later this year on the impact of new technology on distracted driving, including new voice-to-text applications.

The Texas Transportation Institute released a study last week that said sending voice-activated text messages was just as distracting behind the wheel as texts sent by hand.

Federal data shows accidents associated with distracted driving lead to 10 deaths and 1,100 injuries every day.

For every mile you drive, it requires 20 separate decisions to stay on course, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. A driver traveling at 60 mph who looks away for just a second is essentially moving 88 feet with their eyes closed. If you're playing with an app on your dash or choosing music, you could travel the length of a football field without having any idea what's on the road ahead of you.

Careless driving, a broad category that can include distracted driving, regularly is among the top causes of fatal crashes in Broward and Palm Beach counties, according to state traffic-crash data.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said 25,156 crashes were caused in 2011 because of distracted driving. Wysocky said the accuracy of those numbers is questionable because a motorist has to admit to an officer they weren't paying attention.

To help cut down on the problem, the Florida Legislature this year is poised to ban motorists from texting while driving. A ticket could cost first-time offenders $30, plus court costs.

The bill exempts the use of phones to check maps and the use of voice-commands. Drivers would be allowed to text while stopped at a light and talking on a cellphone would not be restricted.

At the same time, the federal government is proposing automakers put stronger limits on drivers' use of in-car touch screens. Cars would be designed to refuse to send texts, tweets or update Facebook while the vehicle is moving.

Under the proposed federal rules, drivers would still be able to pull up addresses on a GPS system. But the rules state such tasks should be accomplished by glancing from the road in two-second spans and by pushing fewer than seven buttons.

The rules would be voluntary and only apply to systems built into new cars by manufacturers. They wouldn't apply to existing cars, mobile devices or voice-activated systems.

"As technology evolves, however, it's clear that distractions behind the wheel don't end with cell phones," U.S. Transportation Secretary Roy LaHood wrote on his blog. "These are common sense guidelines."

But John Saunders, who uses the display in his car to change music while driving from Broward to Miami, says the new rules would be easy to get around.

Article Credit: www.sun-sentinel.com

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Kia Soul Sugarland

Upcoming Cars Technology: A Future Preview

As a driver, have you ever wondered how to make it more easier, more fun and more comfortable for you to drive your own car that you could almost feel that you're inside your house or your office? Well, I have good news for you people.

Some tech companies are in talks with some car makers for collaboration on productivity and entertainment enhancements for cars in the future.

At the recently concluded Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, Samsung has announced that they are in collaboration with Toyota to create the Samsung Car Mode Application. The app is said to integrate Samsung's mobile communication tech with Toyota's In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) for connectivity, multimedia capabilities and internet services.

Meanwhile, Mercedes Benz has also announced that they're looking to integrate Apple's Siri into its A-class electronics system called Drive Kit Plus. It will basically let the driver access iPhone apps while driving through voice commands.

Another company, Research In Motion (RIM), have announced that it's going to integrate their Blackberry QNX technology into Porsche.

In summary, we're going to see next-generation GPS, games, videos, photos and web surfing, as well as using only voice commands to change channels on the radio, send texts, make calls, listen to music and create reminders right in the comfort of our own car.

There you have it, folks. Welcome to the future of car technology. Enjoy!

Article Credit : www.technorati.com

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Kia Soul Sugarland

13 future car technologies for your road trip in 2020

COMPARING THE AUTO INDUSTRY to the computer industry is like comparing two different generations of technology. We’ve got super-fast smartphones and iPods streaming Rhapsody in our pockets, but satellite radio and clunky GPS devices attached to our dashboards.

Automakers are aware they’re a little behind the times, and by 2020, many are promising dashboard and safety systems as sophisticated as iPads — maybe even more so.

1. Wifi 

Obvious, but vital; most of the technologies on this list would be fairly useless if the car wasn’t a rolling hotspot. Several auto manufacturers are already working on developing wifi for cars. In fact, connected cars are the third fastest-growing technological device, following smartphones and tablets.

Ford has introduced this in some models with their Sync system, and Toyota is working with Intel on developing one of their own. Ideally, these systems will also have the ability to connect to your home network, allowing you to transfer information from your computer or laptop directly to your car.

2. Voice recognition

I take it back — this is the most vital technological advancement in automobiles. If texting increases accident rates, what will happen when drivers can tweet, update their Facebook page, and watch videos on YouTube?

Voice recognition is still making its way from novelty to necessary, even in the smartphone world, as it’s proven a difficult technology to master. But there’s arguably a more urgent need to succeed in this field for car manufacturers than in any other industry; already, the US Department of Transportation is calling to require voice input control of smartphones, mp3 players, tablets, and any other devices drivers may use in the car. 

Unfortunately, this technology may also prove to be the most expensive for auto makers. As of now, Apple’s Siri is the only voice recognition system that’s been highly praised — and even Siri is a long, long way from whatever Kirk had on the Enterprise.

3. Digital dashboard

You’re on the road and it’s time to find a hotel. Today, you might fumble with your phone, use an app to search for something nearby, and get directions. Or maybe you’d use that GPS device suction-cupped to your window.

But by 2020, your dashboard will likely resemble a giant iPad. Ideally, that means your car’s system can be linked to whatever cloud service your smartphones and tablets use, allowing you to keep up with texts, calls, emails, social network updates, and apps from behind the wheel. So when you’re ready to check in, you can just open apps like HRS Hotel Portal with a vocal command and talk your car through a map-based search, browse rates and room types, view photos and videos (while you’re parked, hopefully), and book a room.

Toyota calls it HMI (Human-Machine Interface), a system they’re already working on in partnership with Intel and Microsoft. These digital dashboards may turn your USB mobile broadband modem or smartphone into a wireless router, like Ford’s Sync system. Or they could connect with Bluetooth devices like Kia’s Uvo, so making calls and finding music are all voice-controlled.

4. Holographic displays

GEElab (Games and Experimental Entertainment Laboratory) wins here for possibly the best project title ever — they’re currently working on an in-car entertainment system tentatively named “Enjoyable Interactions in the Rear Seat.” 

According to Business Review Europe, this system will combine holographic displays with motion sensors to create applications for folks in the backseat that’ll be similar to Microsoft Kinect and Nintendo Wii. While games are the goal, the resulting holographic technology could also be used to display dashboard and control info, as well as GPS.

Even now, some cars are equipped with technology only a step or two away from holographics. S-class and CL-class Mercedes feature SplitView screens, which are pixelated in a way that projects two completely different images — one for the driver and one for the passenger. However, the system is not yet legal in all states.

5. Car-to-car communication

Unlike driver-to-driver communication, this (probably) won’t involve middle fingers. Once cars are connected thanks to technologies such as Intel’s M2M (Machine-to-Machine), they’ll be able to share data with other cars on the road and warn drivers of accidents, as well as figure out alternate routes based on real-time information — which in turn will help cut down on traffic and increase safety on the road.

As an example, the Car2Car Communication Consortium points out a fairly commonplace scenario: A motorcycle is riding alongside or just behind a larger vehicle on a main road, while you wait at an upcoming intersection to make a right turn onto that road. The larger vehicle turns off the road, and because you still can’t see the motorcycle, you pull out — right in its path. With car-to-car technology, both you and the motorcyclist would receive a warning early on, which would likely help avoid a collision.

6. Car-to-X communication

There’s some overlap between car-to-car and car-to-X technology. BMW prefers car-to-X, as they’re looking into designing a system that allows cars to communicate with other systems outside of those in vehicles. 

One of these research projects is known as PROTON-PLATA (programmable telematics onboard radio), conducted by DEUFRAKO, a Franco-German cooperation in traffic research. The project is addressing the issues posed by a wide range of digital standards and radio frequencies currently in use in digital broadcasting and mobile telecommunications, all of which are continually upgraded into their “next generations” about every two years. Because the life cycle of a car is significantly longer, drivers are constantly “falling behind” when new systems are released. 

The PROTON-PLATA project is researching whether SDR (software defined radio) is the possible answer — technology which will allow all of these systems to be implemented in a single hardware unit.

BMW’s AMULETT (active mobile accident avoidance and mitigation of accident effects through cooperative data acquisition and tracking technology) project focuses on using car-to-X systems to actually communicate with people. The system includes a radio transponder that cyclists and pedestrians wear, which notifies the driver when the wearer is crossing the street or stepping out from behind a parked car.

7. Digital goods

Also known as apps. A shift from hardware to software in car systems will mean that by 2020, you won’t need to bring your car in for an actual installation every time you need an upgrade. Just like with your smartphone, it’ll be as simple as visiting the app store. And as Car and Driver pointed out, these systems are relatively inexpensive for car makers, as the technology is already standard in the computer and mobile industries. 

This paves the way for developers to focus on entertainment and utilities apps specifically for the driver. Apps to find your “perfect match” on the road. Apps that adjust the music to suit your mood. Apps that adjust the lighting to calm you in stressful situations. Apps that wake you up when you start to drift off thanks to soft music and dim lights.

8. Remote control

At the Busan International Motor Show in South Korea last month, Hyundai Motor introduced Bluelink, an IT controlling system that allows smartphone owners to find, unlock, and start their car remotely, as well as turn on the AC and opt to receive texts if there is damage or a break-in. BMW is working on remote-controlled parking.

The next version? Maybe an app that memorizes your preferences and utilizes GPS to detect your proximity to your car. By the time you slide into the driver’s seat, the AC is cranked, the music is on, and there’s a hot cup of coffee in the cupholder. (It’s possible, right?)

9. Intuitive safety features

Safety and emergency notifications can be helpful in preventing accidents but, in many cases, a barrage of beeps and ominous blinks only adds to a stressful driving situation.

The solution for some manufacturers is a “pre-safe” system. Scenario: A car in front of you slams on the brakes, and your car senses it’s too close. The system primes the brakes so that even a light tap of the pedal will apply full force, increasing your chances of stopping in time. 

In emergencies, your car may even be able to take control and guide you to safety. For example, if your car detects you’re having a heart attack or losing consciousness, BMW’s Emergency Stop Assistant system will locate your car, flip on the emergency flashers, use sensors and video to monitor surrounding traffic, steer you safely off the road, and place a 911 call. 

10. Invisible chauffeurs and copilots

Technically, the invisible chauffeur already exists — Google has been test-driving driverless cars in California. Nevada recently approved licenses for “autonomous vehicles,” meaning if you see an empty car cruise down the strip, there’s actually a chance it isn’t a drunken hallucination. And General Motors claims it will have its own driverless cars on road by 2018. An invisible co-pilot, however, has already made its way into upcoming models. 

Your car will help you parallel park — if you’ve got a Lexus LS 460 L, the Advanced Parking Guidance System asks you to align the car and put it in reverse before tapping a button. After that, take your hands off the steering wheel, control the speed with your foot on the brake, and let the car manueuver its way in.

Cruise control can go beyond staying at a set speed. With radar sensors on the front of your car, the system will detect the speed of and distance between you and the car in front of you, adjusting cruise control to keep a safe distance. 

The co-pilot will also watch out for lateral collisions by using a variety of sensor technologies — lidar, radar, ultrasound, video — to monitor the area surrounding the car and, when another car or object gets too close, applying a “directional impulse” tug to the steering wheel. 

11. Health monitor

Ford has announced the development of a car seat with sensors to monitor your heart rate using electrical impulses. Mitsubishi Electric has plans to take this much further, and they believe such an interface will be a reality within the decade.

“Things like the seat position can be customized for all kinds of people,” said Kiyoshi Matsutani, Manager of Automotive Electronics Development Center, at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. “This is done through personal ID, facial temperature measurement, or heart-rate measurement using a Doppler sensor. In this way, the system senses the person’s health condition on that day. The aim is to position the seat and steering to match the driver, and provide information to help with safe driving.”

12. Eco-mode

Researchers at organizations like the Continental Corporation in Germany are focused on using technology to make cars more eco-friendly. According to Popular Mechanics, Continental is developing an interface that includes an “eco” mode, which can search for the most economical route and offer other “green” tips. The system rewards eco-friendly driving behavior — when the four-leaf clover display is filled green, the driver is eligible for rewards from their dealership. 

13. Financial GPS

If your future car will be able to communicate with other cars, systems, devices, and humans, why not your bank? BMW has developed a key that functions as a credit card. In 2020, your entire car might become one. Skymeter calls it “Financial GPS.” 

“With Financial GPS, consumers can get one bill at the end of the month for every car-related cost: their parking, their insurance, their lease, their roads, even full repairs coverage,” said Kamal Hassan, Skymeter CEO, in a Mashable interview.

“Everything would be paid automatically per minute or per mile, based on your actual driving and parking. Drivers could then control their costs. Not driving for a week would save you money on your lease, your insurance, and even your municipal tax bill.”

This may mean we’re facing a future in which toll passes forever lost between car seats have become obsolete.

Article Credit: www.matadornetwork.com

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Kia Soul Sugarland