Technology Takeover
Today, our cars carry as many electronics and computers as the first space craft that orbited the earth. More and more, a computer controls everything we do in our cars: climate control, radio, automatic transmissions, even throttle and brake inputs are transferred to a computer before action. One can only think that the day we sleep as our car takes us where we want to go is not all that far away.
It seems everyday, new technologies are sprouting up, taking more and more away from actual driver involvement, especially when you look at the high end luxury division. We're already seeing the beginnings of the self-driving car. In Mercedes-Benz's 2006 S550, there is an Adaptive Cruise Control system that will bring you to a complete stop if it senses the traffic in front has stopped. All people have to do is steer. Heck, that's practically driving itself. Also, many cars today are equipped with Lane Departure Warning systems. This technology utilizes cameras and sensors to find the lane lines on a road. When the car leaves its lane without signaling, the car will beep, screech, and vibrate until you realize what you're doing and go back to your lane.
From the enthusiasts point of view, even BMW is falling prey to this fad with it's active steering. This electric steering system constantly varies the steering ratio for different driving situations. In the parking lot, the steering is very quick, allowing for easy parking maneuvers. On the highway, the ratio is very slow making for heavier steering with more feel for high speeds. But driving enthusiasts have found that the system make aggressive driving very disconcerting. While driving around the corner one might feel the ratio change necessitating a steering angle change, which could throw the car off balance.
Even our navigation systems are taking over. For some new Acura's, one can get a navigation system that not only monitors traffic and relays the info on the screen, but it will even reroute you around the jam. Also, XM just announced it will partner with 4 cities around the country (LA, Chicago, Detroit, and Washington D.C.) to help users find the last remaining parking spaces. Through a network of sensors in the lots and info from lot attendants, one will find which lots are vacant and where the spots are, saving hours driving around the city.
And there is more coming in the near future. Both Volvo and BMW have displayed and demonstrated versions of the self-parking car. Many of you out there have trouble parallel parking (me included). These systems, once you find the space, will take the wheel and throttle and guide you smoothly into the parking space without you worrying about wrecking your car or anyone else’s.
It seems now that the self-driving car is inevitable some time in the future. Many car enthusiasts are not happy with the prospects of our driving future. What do you think? Let us know your opinion. Do you miss the classic, no a/c manual transmission car that was fun to drive or are you happy sitting in the lap of luxury while your car shoots down the highway?
It seems everyday, new technologies are sprouting up, taking more and more away from actual driver involvement, especially when you look at the high end luxury division. We're already seeing the beginnings of the self-driving car. In Mercedes-Benz's 2006 S550, there is an Adaptive Cruise Control system that will bring you to a complete stop if it senses the traffic in front has stopped. All people have to do is steer. Heck, that's practically driving itself. Also, many cars today are equipped with Lane Departure Warning systems. This technology utilizes cameras and sensors to find the lane lines on a road. When the car leaves its lane without signaling, the car will beep, screech, and vibrate until you realize what you're doing and go back to your lane.
From the enthusiasts point of view, even BMW is falling prey to this fad with it's active steering. This electric steering system constantly varies the steering ratio for different driving situations. In the parking lot, the steering is very quick, allowing for easy parking maneuvers. On the highway, the ratio is very slow making for heavier steering with more feel for high speeds. But driving enthusiasts have found that the system make aggressive driving very disconcerting. While driving around the corner one might feel the ratio change necessitating a steering angle change, which could throw the car off balance.
Even our navigation systems are taking over. For some new Acura's, one can get a navigation system that not only monitors traffic and relays the info on the screen, but it will even reroute you around the jam. Also, XM just announced it will partner with 4 cities around the country (LA, Chicago, Detroit, and Washington D.C.) to help users find the last remaining parking spaces. Through a network of sensors in the lots and info from lot attendants, one will find which lots are vacant and where the spots are, saving hours driving around the city.
And there is more coming in the near future. Both Volvo and BMW have displayed and demonstrated versions of the self-parking car. Many of you out there have trouble parallel parking (me included). These systems, once you find the space, will take the wheel and throttle and guide you smoothly into the parking space without you worrying about wrecking your car or anyone else’s.
It seems now that the self-driving car is inevitable some time in the future. Many car enthusiasts are not happy with the prospects of our driving future. What do you think? Let us know your opinion. Do you miss the classic, no a/c manual transmission car that was fun to drive or are you happy sitting in the lap of luxury while your car shoots down the highway?
posted by Ben at
Monday, August 07, 2006
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