http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/science/10google.html
Several auto driving announcements came out this week:
Volkswagen announced this week their latest auto drive technology, the "Temporary Auto Pilot" (TAP) which combines several production features together including cruise control and lane assist to perform drive the car while on a limited access road. This is not quite to the level of being able to negotiate parking lots or stop signs but it is a step in the right direction, and frankly, it takes over some of the more boring and mundane aspects of driving (the long interstate). Also, by using existing systems, VW can cut into the typical 5 year design cycle, and hopefully deliver this technology in the next couple years rather than the next 5-7. See the press release below:
http://www.haveit-eu.org/displayITM1.asp?ITMID=117&LANG=EN
Ford announced their automatic driving tool: the V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) communication. In true US automaker fashion they announce a truly useless piece of technology. Using a combination of GPS and Wi-Fi, V2V Ford vehicles can talk to each other, to alert near-by Fords of sudden stops and potential collisions. The alerts are both auditory, and visually displayed on the navigation screen. Then it is up to the driver to react accordingly.
It doesn't take a genius to see that Ford's system falls apart if any other vehicles on the road are not V2V enabled Fords. The target audience of technological mana must be drivers with fast reflexes, poor vision, and an ability to focus on both the road and the Nav screen in tense driving situations.
Ford is banking on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make such sensors mandatory in all vehicles. May I take this opportunity to say: Henry, we are so sorry for the mess we made of your great company. See the cnet review below:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20068130-48.html
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