AUTO ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

sources:

" "New technologies are changing the way cars are driven", John Markoff, NYTimes, Jan 12, 2013;; "9 Trends in Your New Car", Kristin Varela, cars.com, USA Weekend, Jan 11, 2013; other sources linked below

ALREADY IN MANY CARS:

Smartphone Apps (developed with open platform (Software Development Kits) which integrate with car "infotainment system"

ABS - Antilock brakes (Federal safety regulations; saved xxx lives...)

Electronic stability control (2007 Federal Safety regulations: saved 2200 lives, 2008 to2010)

Minimum Sound Emission requirements, below 18 mph, for EVs and hybrids

PEDESTRIAN & VEHICLE AVOIDANCE:

Pedestrian detection; Forward collision avoidance (radar - audible/visual/seat-vibration warnings); Automatic braking to avoid collision; Automated parking ; "Rear Cross Path Detection"(radar to watch behind and sides)

OTHER

Backup cameras (50 children hit/week) - proposed federal requirement in 2014

Blind Spot Monitor (right/left sides of car)

Driver fatigue/distraction alert (see "lane keeping")

Cruise control/adaptive cruise control (see "Super cruise control")

Adaptive headlights (typically adaptive to height/angle)

Traffic sign detection

Ignition locks for all DUIs (reqd in 17 states); NTSB also recommends ignition lock in all new cars, such as using IR to detect blood alcohol when driver presses "start" button

Remote tire pressure monitor and low pressure alerts; "Easy-fill Tire alert"- beeps horn when reach proper pressure, while filling tire

Bluetooth synced Smartphone - duplicate car controls/buttons on Smartphone. Run apps either on Smartphone or run the apps in the car "headend" infotainment system.

Internet connections directly thru car, or through a Blue-Tooth synced Smarphone data connection: searches, weather, streaming and/or satellite radio, voice-to-text; text to voice (audio playback of ebooks)

Hands-free liftgate (swipe foot under bumper)

Touch screen replacing dashboard buttons

auto parallel park

Lane Keeping/Driver Alert Technology- vibrates steering wheel, sounds warnings, presents messages, automatically turns steering wheels for "nodding" drivers. (Warns if the driver's hands are not on the steering wheel)

COMING

Traffic jam assistance (maintains safe following distance, stays within lane; avail for luxury cars in 1-2 yrs

Super cruise control (2014 Cadillac will control accelerator, brake, and steering - allows removal of hands from steering)

Night assistance thermal imaging (2006 BMW, 2010 Audi, etc) - LCD dashboard display.

V2X communications (2013 DOT initiative) Vehicle to Vehicle; Vehicle to Intrastructure

Intersection assistance, Traffic light detection, Local Hazard Warning, Emergency Vehicle Warning: Safety initiatives by a consortium of 11 European carmakers. Each vehicle/traffic light/hazard has interacting radar (like anti-collision aircraft control which automatically averts a crash)

Toyota Pre-Collision System (PCS) to avoid collisions with pedestrians

Autonomous self-driving car operation (demonstration cars at CES, Jan, 2013).