U.S. launches smart-car project in Ann Arbor with thousands of vehicles that talk to each other
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood speaks as Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder looks on at the launch of a vehicle-to-vehicle communication project in Ann Arbor Tuesday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The joint project with the University of Michigan, launched with 2,800 vehicles, is part of a $25 million federal effort to increase roadway safety.
Gov. Snyder speaks with television reports at the launch of the vehicle-to-vehicle communication project Tuesday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The vehicle devices can audibly and visually alert drivers when safety threats approach.
"This is an experience that cannot be duplicated in any lab," said U.S. Secretary for Transportation Ray LaHood. "We're taking a major step forward in understanding cutting-edge technology tools that offer a real promise of making our roads safer.
Vehicles talking to vehicles: Who would have ever thunk it?" he added.
LaHood compared vehicle-to-vehicle innovation to the development of the seatbelt and the airbag.
But unlike the seatbelt and airbag, wireless technology has the ability to not only increase vehicle safety, but decrease traffic. The technology can communicate with wireless devices embedded in intersections and on roadways and warn drivers about traffic and suggest alternate routes.
"Wouldn’t it be kind of fun if your vehicle told that red light to turn green, well that’s what we're talking about," he said.
500 cars have already been outfitted with the technology and the others will get the devices in the coming weeks. Roughly 70 cars are new models from eight different auto companies and are already embedded with communication devices.
The yearlong pilot will offer researchers the opportunity to understand how effective visual and audio safety warnings are and how reliable various wireless technology devices are. Systems will be researched and their use refined, and at the end of the year, data on prevention and vehicle communications will be presented to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The DOT plans to work with researchers and industry leaders to see if a possible mandate requiring vehicle-to-vehicle communication is feasible, in terms of both technology and cost.
"No decision has been made about making a rule; we are announcing a research project that will deliver data… and then we’ll see where it takes us," LaHood said Tuesday, later adding: "This technology has great promise. The promise really lies in will it save a lot of injuries? Will it save a lot of lives?"
What is clear is the deployment affirms the significance of southeast Michigan in the continued development of the auto industry.
It also puts a national spotlight on U-M and on Ann Arbor, which not only has thousands of volunteers participating in the study but is expecting to be a hub for vehicle and communication device manufacturers who are part of the study.
Connected Vehicle warning devices can help drivers avoid serious lane change crashes, researchers say.
Department of Transportation
Though U-M nabbed the federal contract to host the deployment, it competed with several schools in other regions for the project. The project's placement in Michigan was vital in affirming the continued presence of serious and cutting-edge auto development in the state. UMTRI director Peter Sweatman called "this region the center of the auto world."
"This is the right place" for the project, he said.
Added Forrest: "We are leading the way in many key areas of research that are literally reiniventing the automobile."
Of the eight companies providing wireless infrastructure for the deployment, three —including Denso International of America, DGE Inc., and Auto Talks Ltd.— are either based in Michigan or have U.S. headquarters in Michigan. Additionally a handful of Detroit-area auto companies are providing 128 new vehicles with integrated wireless systems for the study.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
alternativeview99
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 4:13 a.m.
What will these smart cars be used for if no one has a job that can pay for the gas or the clean power to run them? I am sure these cars serve some purpose....but it doesn't seem to be one that will benefit the out-of-work middle-class in Michigan. Sure am glad it wasn't the tax dollars from senior's pensions that made it possible.
Mike
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
You just don't seem to understand....................
justcurious
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 2:44 a.m.
Will it knock the cell phone out of the driver's hand? That is what is really needed.
racerx
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 1:58 a.m.
Yeah! The car lives! Even in green-belt, bike-lane infested, reduced lanes streets as is Ann Arbor! Funny. Was Mayor John invited? Saw no quotes or pictures of him on the podium. Though I can imagine his response now, "...well whenever new technologies are introduced with the backing of the federal government and the University of Michigan, the city's position would be to encourage and enhance such endeavors with our gateway to being a technological hub for Southeastern Michigan...". Blah, Blah, Blah.....
shrewdrealist
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 1:49 a.m.
What if a car gets stoned? Would it do 30 in a 45?
Ben Petiprin
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.
In my experience, the more computer there is in a car, the more frequently it breaks down. And when it inevitably breaks down the necessary digital repairs are far more expensive. Finally there will come a point where the machine dies for good, and the only answer to get another. Compare this to the classic cars here and in Cuba that are still working generations later. Mandating these devices in cars is just the same old strategy of putting out a faulty product that will have to be constantly repaired and replaced. Except now they plan on forcing you into this cycle. If you want to revolutionize the car, make it fly already.
Mike
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
My light has been on for air bags and anti lock brakes for a long time. My mechanic says not to worry about it. I know how to brake and wear a seat belt. There are 13 million cares produced annually and if the air bags and anti-lock systems add $1000 per car that's $13 billion added to the cost of automobiles annually. Someone didn't do the benefit cost analysis on theos etwo. This system will be no better.............
Kai Petainen
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 11:49 p.m.
it's pretty cool that they're doing this in ann arbor. it'll be interesting to see (assuming no one gets hurt)... what happens... if anything... if 2 of these collide together. will they tweet to one another and say 'sorry', or 'ouch'?
Ron Granger
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 11:35 p.m.
I drive a car that warns when other large vehicles are in the next lane. That warning does not always work. It also does not detect cyclists, or pedestrians. I can see how some drivers would quickly come to depend on that warning. I can just hear them "but the warning didn't tell me the car was there!" From that perspective, these aids can be dangerous. Similarly, the car has a backup camera. The camera is nice in some situations but I don't think it is a substitute for the use of mirrors. It won't really tell you if your side mirror is about to strike the side mirror of another car. Again, I can see how new drivers could become dependent on those aids and then blame them when they fail to prevent damage.
racerx
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 2:03 a.m.
Blind spot warning Ron? The system is suppose to detect when another vehicle is in your blind spot, so detecting a pedestrian or bicycle was never its intention. However, describe "other large vehicles"? Most of these systems also only work above a certain speed limit. And, if, as you say, how drivers could become dependent on these aids, why did you buy a car with one? Most are options. Yes, you could buy a car off the dealers lot with it already installed, but why pay for something you don't want? Wait a few weeks and order the car to your specs. It can really occur, despite what the salesman tells you.
Atlas Shrugged
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 10:23 p.m.
Let's hope the smart cars actually improve on the stupid drivers around here. My guess is that they won't, and will make bad drivers even worse.
LXIX
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
I am sorry but I have yet to read how exactly this will save 32,000 lives. Can it take control to safely steer the car? Brake at high speed - after correctly processing the split-second mega-traffic situation? Show drivers what to do on a dashboard display instead of them watching the road? Tell drivers what to do and expect an obediant response during an emergency situation? The only practical use is for traffic crowd control and post accident reporting. Maybe vehicle/cellphone ID triangulation. And to collect lots, and lots of public data for government and industry use..
LXIX
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 3:26 a.m.
Sorry. I don't drink the koolaid and I prefer to wear a beret. I would prefer drive my own Tesla than be held hostage in a computerized gas hog. I also know a little about computers, neural networks,government, and aircraft. Autopilot takes samples of the aircraft environment from dedicated onboard sensors. It integrates that data with continuous guidance from broadcast navigation signals to select a pre-programmed flight.routine. It would not know what to do if an asteroid or hurricane suddenly appeared. Ask any good pilot who they would want flying during an emergency. Yellow Cab would be happy to provide you with a chauffered limo at anytime.
Will
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 2:49 a.m.
Take off your tinfoil hat. This is a step toward vehicles that can react before a driver can. I know you would like to believe that human operators can outperform autopilot, but in modern aircraft that is simply not true. Ground vehicles are next, and wireless communications is a step in that direction. I would love it if I could be chauffeured about in an autonomous vehicle so that I could read the paper (or sleep) while travelling to my destination.
Justavoice
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
So does this mean the smart meter proponents will now be complaining of all the new road wireless transmissions causing them health problems?
SMC
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
This town doesn't need smart-cars, it needs smarter drivers. Smarter cyclists, too.
Mike
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 8:31 p.m.
"Wouldn't it be kind of fun if your vehicle told that red light to turn green, well that's what we're talking about," he said. LaHood compared vehicle-to-vehicle innovation to the development of the seatbelt and the airbag. : Really this is as simple as a seatbelt? Air bags should be removed from all vehicles to reduce the cost of a car........... This is all great stuff and sounds real good. One problem, we're borrowing 40% of every dollar we spend as a nation, automobiles are already too expensive, and there are a lot more needs out there that could be better served by the grant money to do this. Out of one side of their faces the government says it worries about those less likely to fend for themselves financially and out of the other side they spend money on things that would be in the nice to have column of runningany responsible enterprise such as our bloated government. How about putting forth the effort to create a budget to run the country, take a hard look at how we spend everybody's money, and make some real cuts while trying to save our future generations from being reduced to debtor status? All of the wealth from this country is being sent to foreign governments to pay our debts; like Saudi Arabia, China, and others. This is great but unnecessary at best, misguided and irresponsible at worst. I'm tired of being treated like a bottomless pit to take money from (taxes) and spread it around on foolish expenditures. Can't wait for the election......
Mike
Thu, Aug 23, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
Lot's of negatives, no comments? Keep the printing presses running and dump on future generations? Real nice..........
Jason
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 8:29 p.m.
No complaints yet from group who thinks smart meters are bad...hmm...not complaining about a technology that can "better" their lives now, eh?
Itchy
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
Just like the old movie - Dumb & Dumber!
JimmyD
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 7:58 p.m.
I'm ready to see 32,000 Americans not killed on the road each year. And if we can develop this technology how many jobs will be created to export it?
Saline_Wins
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 7:46 p.m.
This is great. Big brother will not only know where I'm at but how and when I got there. Electrical smart meters and now devices for cars. What a waste of money that can be used for useful things.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 1:01 a.m.
...like more emergency rooms?
Karen Jania
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 7:36 p.m.
I am one of the individuals that received one of the new cars for the study and I am very excited to participate.
Annette Poole
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 7:15 p.m.
I'm one of the 500 with the device in my vehicle - should be interesting to hear what the results are.
David Muzzatti
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 7:14 p.m.
Lovely. As a society the family unit can't meet around the dinner table & talk to each other but now our cars can? This sounds like a script for The Truman Show 2.
Top Cat
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 6:12 p.m.
Any story containing the word "smart" and the name "Ray LaHood" is just not credible.
LXIX
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
Finally, a mobile neural network capable of managing all of those pesky people units - no more need for their car-curbing government, either! While great to keep UM scientests employed - until we all ride hostage in driverless google cars, this tech is at best Machiavellian and at worst will add more driver distraction - to what benefit?
Goober
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.
I can hear it now…….. Car 1 - Hey – where're you going? Car 2 – To the strip joint. Where are you going? Car 1 – To church. Hope the wife of your owner does not catch him. If so, he is dead meat. Cover your tracks - man!!! The whole time, Big Brother is watching. Oh – so is the owners wife of Car 2, because she has his logon password and can see everywhere he goes.
Will
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 2:34 a.m.
You really are Goober!
shrewdrealist
Wed, Aug 22, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.
lol
GoNavy
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
Finally a step in the right direction. The faster we can move away from 19th-century rail "technology" and towards 21st-century vehicular automation, the better off we'll all be.
GoNavy
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 10:09 p.m.
"highest utilized" should be "largest."
GoNavy
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 9:56 p.m.
@Bhatavdekar- I can tell you that we (the United States) have all of the technology necessary to build a high-speed rail line. The United States, having the highest-utilized rail system in the world (you can look that up), long ago developed most of the technologies that are currently being used by other countries. Rather, my suggestion is that we look to our existing infrastructure (long, nicely-arranged freeways), our existing "rolling stock" (in the form of hundreds of millions of automobiles), and our ingenuity (as suggested by this article) to further explore the possibilities available to us in automating cars for high-speed, long-distance travel. Is that not innovating Mr. Bhatavdekar? Or must we lash ourselves to the "rail" paradigm?
Dhurandar Bhatavdekar
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.
21st century rail being developed elsewhere is one of the reasons the US is on the verge of losing its technological leadership. Lets think beyond the automobile and think beyond our "island" ...
Peregrine
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
Just because it's old, doesn't mean rail technology can't be incredibly helpful. To take an extreme example, imagine if all rail to/from/under Manhattan were to stop functioning. It would be a disaster.
ChrisW
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 4:20 p.m.
Great, now not only the drivers are texting, but the cars are too. :-;
Dhurandar Bhatavdekar
Tue, Aug 21, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Drivers should remember that only 2799 other cars will talk back to your car. The other 249 million cars on the road will not. Which means all drivers will still need to keep their 100% attention on the road and not get dependent on technology to do the driver's job. That is still many decades away ...