Ann Arbor drivers will help federal government explore technology allowing cars to 'talk to each other'
Ann Arbor drivers will help the federal government determine whether to require automakers to build cars with technology that allows them to communicate with each other while on the road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration plans to launch a study that will give as many as 3,000 vehicles in Ann Arbor the ability to wirelessly "talk to each other and warn drivers of impending collisions," the trade publication Automotive News reported.
NHTSA wants to use the results of the study to decide whether automakers must integrate similar technology in all their new vehicles.
A decision on that requirement would come in 2013, although automakers would have several years to comply, according to Automotive News.
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.
Comments
Original Ann Arborite
Wed, Aug 24, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
I don't know about this, and 2 me it seems like this would obviously go to some length we def do not agree with. Ppl like our "awesome politicians" will turn the tables on us with this type of technology. Laugh and joke now but, this could potentially b a very annoying issue for ALL of us... I say def N-O to this 'opportunity'
dextermom
Wed, Aug 24, 2011 : 12:07 p.m.
I want one!
leaguebus
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 9:14 p.m.
If this technology could have saved the lives of the, at least, three cyclists killed by drivers not paying attention to the road ahead, I would volunteer my car.
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 7:38 p.m.
Big Brother is watching your car. I can see when there's a problem around me. While I'm sure alerts have their place, there is no computer transition between warning and what I'm seeing as I drive. So in an emergency this could add an extra mental processing step that could cause a deadly accident. I suspect this requirement will disappear when they realize it causes as many problems as it solves.
Ricebrnr
Wed, Aug 24, 2011 : 11:08 a.m.
Disappear? Yes because letting go of power is something the government is known for.. More likely the mandate will continue for other reasons...mission creep anyone?
Not from around here
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.
Didn't Pixar allready perfect this technology in "Cars"?
Ricebrnr
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 5:35 p.m.
How soon before: a) Police can gather data from vehicles on the fly. Particularly for speed enforcement and probably for parking as well? b) How about rather than just passive data, when can the Police tell your car to stop and thus limit high speed chases? Of course the criminals will gravitate and can generally only afford older cars anyway so at least new cars won't be crashed. c) Criminals start using the same technology to "clone" your car's id and thus perpetuate another version of ID theft? D) Everyday people have access to such data...wonder if that makes Road Rage-rs & stalkers lives easier.. Yah yah I know tin-foil hat time right?...or is it....
scott
Wed, Aug 24, 2011 : 11:54 a.m.
I can't believe that no one talks about police speed enforcement for all cars always. What a terrible system to pull over a billionth of the speeding cars and give out a huge fine. I'd be happy to drive the limit if everyone else did.
Bogie
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 4:59 p.m.
I want my car to tell the other ones, that I have my cruise control set at 9 over the speed limit, and to get out of the left lane (my car already knows to get out of the way of cars behind me- going faster). My car could tell the other ones, if your not passing; get out of the left lane-it's the law. My car could disable other cars, that speed up when you try to pass them on the right. I LIKE THIS!!! WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!!!
scott
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
You probably need to be 16 to try it out, sorry.....
John of Saline
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
There should be little transponders on bikes that let cars know when there's one within 100 yards of your path, so that you can prepare to avoid them.
Macabre Sunset
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 7:39 p.m.
There also should be little transponders that warn us when we're approaching someone who is overly sanctimonious. Of course, we're probably talking about the exact same thing here.
John A2
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
Big Brother news flash!!!
5c0++ H4d13y
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
This just allows bad driver to get worse.
John of Saline
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
I've heard that about anti-lock brakes--some people get in more crashes because they think the brakes will magically save them.
a2cents
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 3:50 p.m.
yep, akin to belted drivers who drive harder/faster.
Fatkitty
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 3:29 p.m.
Good! I've always wanted a loudspeaker and air-horn on the front of my jeep, particularly for the idiots who drive while leaning on the center console with cell phone stuck to right ear, driving 10 under the speed limit in the fast lane, oblivious to the quarter-mile of cars behind him that are forced to pass him on the right.
Fatkitty
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 4:27 p.m.
a2cents: I would rather not pass the idiot on the left shoulder. "forced" - perhaps not, but the idiots I've encountered will NOT move over, so............ whatever.
a2cents
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.
pass 'em at your peril... they are very unpredictable. "... forced to pass...", why & sez who?
David Cahill
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
I would also be willing to try out this technology. How will the drivers be selected?
sig.melvin
Thu, Aug 25, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.
yae me too ...By the way please install a hearing aid also , so the driver hears , etc
Fordie
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 3:07 p.m.
Any word on how local drivers can be involved in this study? If they need to install this in 3,000 cars, I would consider offering mine up.
Charlie Brown's Ghost
Tue, Aug 23, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
The true benefit of this will be to warn drivers when there is an idiot driving with a poodle on his lap nearby. Good Night and Good Grief