Technologically Advanced Cars
Those of you who think that your car is just a means of transportation — a box that takes you from one place to another — think again. Today’s cars have become computers in their own right. Electronic sensors are now used to measure a car’s performance and microprocessors are present to modify components so that they perform properly under any condition. New technologies have been introduced that park the car without any action from the driver and night vision technology is making it possible for drivers to see better at night.
But there is more coming. And the federal government and a major car manufacturer — Ford Motor Company — have taken steps to assure that these new innovations become reality.
After more than 10 years of research, Ford is creating a task force of planners, engineers and scientists from around the world who already have experience in developing sophisticated safety equipment as well as infotainment and driver convenience systems to create intelligent vehicles that, among other things, will prevent collisions and allow cars on the road to communicate with one another. The company, along with other car manufacturers and the federal government, is working to create a “common language” that allows cars to communicate based on a common communication standard. Moreover, the partnership also intends to launch driving clinics starting this summer to test the technology. Ford will be donating two prototype Ford Taurus sedans to the project which will be managed by the Intelligent Transportation Systems of the U.S. Department of Transportation and which also involves the Crash Avoidance Metrics Partnership, a joint research group headed by Ford and General Motors. The project will help create standards and will be completed in 2013.
The result of the technology could lead to the easing of traffic delays which will save time and fuel costs. Moreover, the technology in conjunction with infrastructure innovations will provide drivers with real time traffic reports that will assist them in choosing less congested routes.
The communication between cars will be based on Wi-Fi, which allows a full 360 degree range of detection. So the car will be able to alert the driver if he or she is on a path to a collision, when a vehicle ahead stops or suddenly slows down, when traffic patterns change, if there is a chance of a collision when changing lanes, when the car is approaching stationary or parked vehicles, or if another driver loses control of his or her car.
All of this is possible because car manufacturers including Ford have already developed technologies that can be used. These include Collision Warning and Blind Spot Information Systems which use radar to detect vehicles or objects near the vehicle.
Moreover, Ford has created a so-called “smart intersection” which communicates information to and from vehicles. For example, this system allows a vehicle to communicate its speed, direction and position about 10 times per second at a distance of 300 to 500 meters.
The ability of a car to “talk” allows for all sorts of other actions. For example, it could allow the car to reserve or bid for a preferred parking spot before reaching a destination
It appears that the federal government understands how important it is to develop such a technology. Two members of the United States House of Representatives, Mike Rogers (R-Michigan) and Russ Carnahan (D-Missouri) have introduced legislation to permit the federal government to select six cities in which to test a system. In addition, the Congress is also considering a new surface transportation bill that will manage how the government spends money from its transportation budget. Those who favor intelligent transportation systems want to be certain that the agenda is part of the government’s long term planning.
Technology is also being developed that would permit the car to notify authorities as an accident is happening. The vehicle’s speed, steering and braking data as well as video from inside and outside the car would be automatically sent to police and insurance companies. Moreover, onboard sensors will be able to detect pot holes in the road and notify road maintenance authorities.
Yes, a brave new world in automotive technology is coming and it is not only limited to the electric car.
Future Trends In Car Technology
At present, technology has been advancing at a rate that can be described as almost biblical and the best thing about it is that as it advances it takes everyone in its stride. Therefore, as technology improves it brings improvement in the automobile industry as well. Car technology has entered a whole new world and every year something different and new takes us by surprise. Many products related to car technology have been unveiled but are yet to strike the marketplace and this chapter discusses some of these proposed ideas which will have petrol heads glued to their monitors.
Humans unlike their electronic counterparts are imperfect and because of that they are not as much of conservative even as the world faces an acute shortage of renewable resources. For example, while driving we would simply leave the air conditioner on and roll up the windows even when we could do the opposite and save a significant amount of fuel.
Recent technological innovations have introduced in cars the “Economy mode”. This feature allows the car itself to decide what features are important at any moment in time and then simply turns off the features that it deems not essential. This not only saves fuel but also ensures longevity and durability of the vehicle. This feature has been tested in many hybrid cars and has been extremely successful.
Then there is the concept of the black box technology for cars on the cards. The idea is simple, if airplanes can have them so can cars. Black boxes have proven to be extremely useful in recovering information from airplanes in cases of mishaps. However, its concept is being debated still as it allows the car owners privacy to be compromised. At present general motors’ is using them in their newer models and has renamed them to “recorders” as it stores data on the speed, distance traveled and the visited places. This also helps amongst others, insurance companies who can use the data in case an accident occurs.
Then there’s the more interesting feature that allows a car to park for its owners. Cars with such features have been produced already and are being marketed successfully, all the owner has to do is press the brake pedal and the car will carefully avoid all obstacles, make itself parallel and then come to a halt.
Lastly and perhaps the most predictable of all car technologies involves cars driving themselves, this is now possible thanks to the recent advances in robotics and GPS technologies. All you will have to do is tell the car where you want to go and the car will take care of the rest. A lot research to perfect this technology is underway and it may not be very long before human drivers become a thing of the past.
After looking at some of these features one can say these are indeed interesting times as cars are evolving with changes in technology and may soon change the very shape of cars as we know them today.
Best Solution For Best Auto Insurance Discount You Can Find
Have problem with your finance, because of your car repair cost? That shouldn’t be happened to you, if you have auto insurance. Auto insurance is the most important thing that you must have and get, once you get a car. It can help you to have peaceful mind. However, auto insurance is like other insurance. If you can’t choose the best and right one, your auto insurance will only give you lot of finance problems. Now, to find best auto insurance that won’t give you too much finance problem is also difficult. There’re thousand auto insurance deals that you can find. And choose one that best among those thousand isn’t easy thing to do. Therefore, you will need help from AutoInsurance.com.
This website will give you a way to find best auto insurance and detail insurance product info that you need. This website provides best auto insurance quotes finder that only need zip area code of the place where you live. You will get best auto insurance deals with best price and big discount from these quotes. Just compare them, and you will find best auto insurance that you can apply. But, if this is your first time, this website also has detail information about auto insurance that you can use for reference. You will know about how to find best ins carriers, how to compare auto insurance coverage, detail information about all kinds of auto insurance coverage and many more. Here, you also can find information about some top insurance companies that can help you with their auto insurance.
Therefore, this website is the best solution and help you can find and use, if you want to get great auto insurance discount. Your car will get best protection and you don’t need to worry about your money for your car repair cost. Visit this website now!!!