Step aside Google Car, Ford is stepping in. According to BBC, Ford is working on its own research for a “Smart Car”. Though it doesn’t appear to drive a vehicle all by its self, it seems that the feature is only a safety feature, one that could possibly save some lives.
Ford is working on a system called “Obstacle Avoidance” which will warn a driver of dangers on the road, such as a possible collision. They system has a built-in display which shows the driver a warning sign, also sounding chimes. If the driver does not react the car will take control, by applying the breaks and/or looking for a gap and steering to avoid a crash. The system scans up to 200 metres ahead of the vehicle using three radars, several ultrasonic sensors as well as a camera.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYLwJY3CU18[/youtube]Personally I find this feature and any feature that allows a vehicle to have any control of what you’re doing while driving to be scary. Perhaps that is why I drive a car that does not have a computer in it. I have driven quite a few vehicles over the years, but I prefer cars without computers. I guess I am old school, then again I could be considered paranoid that a hacker is going to take control of my car and send it out of control.
What are your thoughts on these “Smart Car” ideas? Would you want a car that had the ability to take control and steer you away from the dangers of the road? Chime in below and let us know.
How would that work though? He has to take his hands off the steering wheel for the car to steer itself?
How many drivers casually ignore what’s in front of them with their hands off the wheel?
I’m wondering if it’s got some sort of mechanical attachment between the steering wheel and the stuff that makes the wheels turn – some bolts which can retract maybe? Then when the car wants to steer it can disable your steering wheel and do it all for you.
lol men…. new generation men… its a software men + electronics hahaha xD
Perhaps it would vibrate 3 times in quick succession telling you to let go.
You’d be surprised how many computers are already in your car.
What will happen if there is a car front of you and it’s going to turn, and at the same moment a another car is coming from another side … It’s going to be much bigger crash than to into some car what is standing front of you .
Welcome to the next step in making us all a little more retarded. “Don’t bother driving we’ll do that for you. Don’t bother watching where your going, don’t pay any attention to your surroundings, nothing for you to see, move along.”
so scientific advancements appear to make driving safer and all you do is call then retarded? this could save lives
I would rather trust a computer than a human to drive a car, a computer has a faster reaction time and with the right sensors has better situation awareness than humans.