Car Technology discussion thread

[Kaido]

We already have a pretty good thread on self-driving cars over here:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2339155

Thought it'd be nice to have a separate general "car technology" discussion thread, since this is AT after all :biggrin: I'll start out - just ran across an article about a DLP Backup HUD from last year:

http://www.ceoutlook.com/2013/01/16/heads-up-display-for-backup-camera-at-ces/

Also, non-electronic, I saw Alloy Gators (UK company) awhile ago - they protector your rims from curb scrapes, which is pretty cool:

http://www.alloygator.co.uk/

 

[olds]

I protect my rims from curb scrapes by not rubbing them on the curb.

 

[tortillasoup]

I protect my rims from curb scrapes by adding significantly more air pressure in the tires. 40psi = no rim scrapes... Though I drive with normal tires where the rubber sticks out of the rim, not some super low profiles tires where the rubber is at the same level or less than the rim.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Alloygator looks terrible.

I will be putting wider tires on my 18 inch rims to protect my rims and get more rubber on the road.

 

[Kaido]

Parrot Asteroid Smart receiver:

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/asteroid-range/parrot-asteroid-smart

 

[SandEagle]

if you're worried about curb scrapes, get this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CARMATE-CZ270-blind-spot-safety-mirror-2-pcs-set-/251317886597

i'm waiting for technology that will allow me to:
-punch a driver when i hit my horn
-raise a digital middle finger from the trunk
-mount a 50cal on my roof and control it from my steering wheel while having HUD

 

[Kaido]

if you're worried about curb scrapes, get this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-CARMATE-CZ270-blind-spot-safety-mirror-2-pcs-set-/251317886597

i'm waiting for technology that will allow me to:
-punch a driver when i hit my horn
-raise a digital middle finger from the trunk
-mount a 50cal on my roof and control it from my steering wheel while having HUD

I seem to recall a customizable LED project on Kickstarter that let you put custom Litebrite-style graphics in your car for just such purposes...

 

[SandEagle]

I seem to recall a customizable LED project on Kickstarter that let you put custom Litebrite-style graphics in your car for just such purposes...

ah yes. the Drivemotion LED. thinkgeek.com had it. looks like this:

"deleted"

SandEagle...

Please try to keep your post in a corrective manner...

AT Moderator
Bartman39

 

[vshah]

Parrot Asteroid Smart receiver:

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/asteroid-range/parrot-asteroid-smart

i really wish someone would come out with the following


jelly bean based
good cpu - tegra 3 or better
preouts
backup camera input
stock android with app store
steering wheel control support

basically a nexus 7 attached to the audio hardware

 

[exdeath]

Pointless.

1) most people deserving it have already raced around you and cut you off, a sign on the BACK of your car is pointless unless YOU are the one being a douchebag

2) even if the sign does apply it will just give the offender more smug satisfaction.

3) like a child stomping his feet in protest, you can't do anything about the situation itself so showing a sign like that is basically admitting defeat

Its far more satisfying to out power someone and prevent the event in the first place and just completely destroy their sense of worth and deflate their bravado than to be the one flipping them off while they laugh at you in their mirror. Much more fun to deny them their ricer fly by and watch their penis deflate as they stay 10 cars back and lose all interest in tangling with you from then on.

Never understood flipping people off, it basically just validates that they "won" and youre just throwing a tantrum and making it that much sweeter.

 

[vshah]

Pointless.

1) most people deserving it have already raced around you and cut you off, a sign on the BACK of your car is pointless unless YOU are the one being a douchebag

2) even if the sign does apply it will just give the offender more smug satisfaction.

3) like a child stomping his feet in protest, you can't do anything about the situation itself so showing a sign like that is basically admitting defeat

Its far more satisfying to out power someone and prevent the event in the first place and just completely destroy their sense of worth and deflate their bravado than to be the one flipping them off while they laugh at you in their mirror. Much more fun to deny them their ricer fly by and watch their penis deflate as they stay 10 cars back and lose all interest in tangling with you from then on.

Never understood flipping people off, it basically just validates that they "won" and youre just throwing a tantrum and making it that much sweeter.

you can use it to say "thanks" or give a thumbs up as well. that's what I would use it for if I had such a thing

 

[Kaido]

Pointless.

1) most people deserving it have already raced around you and cut you off, a sign on the BACK of your car is pointless unless YOU are the one being a douchebag

2) even if the sign does apply it will just give the offender more smug satisfaction.

3) like a child stomping his feet in protest, you can't do anything about the situation itself so showing a sign like that is basically admitting defeat

Its far more satisfying to out power someone and prevent the event in the first place and just completely destroy their sense of worth and deflate their bravado than to be the one flipping them off while they laugh at you in their mirror. Much more fun to deny them their ricer fly by and watch their penis deflate as they stay 10 cars back and lose all interest in tangling with you from then on.

Never understood flipping people off, it basically just validates that they "won" and youre just throwing a tantrum and making it that much sweeter.

Ah, but we have a fix for that too

http://jalopnik.com/genius-watergun-bumper-hack-will-keep-tailgaters-off-yo-949427197

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

(1)...Assuming future laws, enforce wi-fi forced engine shut down, for law enforcement use. Then I want one, so if someone tail-gates me, I zap their engine off for at least one hour, or in bad cases, it sends the permanently disable the engine signal.

(2)...A similar wi-fi dongle, which lets me switch traffic lights to green, at will.

(3)...Assuming ALL bicycles have to also be fitted with wi-fi enabled dead-locks, I can activate it if any cyclists annoy me.

(4)...A wi-fi voice impersonator, so that if law enforcement are chasing me, it sends a fake message to the chasers, to immediately back off and abandon the chase, else they will be fired, immediately.

(5)...A wi-fi box, which activates reverse, and partial accelerator, to any cars that I point at, so I can get to the front of any Petrol/Gasoline queues.

(6)...A wi-fi box, which gives me free internet access, and TV viewing, while driving.

(7)...A wi-fi box which cleverly detects the impending accident (because I am simultaneously internet surfing, texting, watching TV, partly sleeping, massively speeding, and a pile of other things, while driving, and reminds me to brake, or if law enforcement are near/watching.

(8)...I might need some entertainment, while taking a break in the car, on longer journeys, so a wi-fi box, could give me some entertainment options.

(9)...A wi-fi high interference box, so that if any motorists are playing really loud music, I can switch it off and/or destroy their horrible sound system.

(10)...A first-aid kit. So that if anyone is injured or ill, I can help them out. (It has a built in radio signal generator (wi-fi), so if it is opened, medical staff know about the situation).

DISCLAIMER: This post is meant in jest/joke, so please drive sensibly/responsibly and safely!

This video shows amazing (to me, at least) new car safety systems, already available on some cars

 

[exdeath]

(1)...Assuming future laws, enforce wi-fi forced engine shut down, for law enforcement use. Then I want one, so if someone tail-gates me, I zap their engine off for at least one hour, or in bad cases, it sends the permanently disable the engine signal.

(2)...A similar wi-fi dongle, which lets me switch traffic lights to green, at will.

(3)...Assuming ALL bicycles have to also be fitted with wi-fi enabled dead-locks, I can activate it if any cyclists annoy me.

(4)...A wi-fi voice impersonator, so that if law enforcement are chasing me, it sends a fake message to the chasers, to immediately back off and abandon the chase, else they will be fired, immediately.

(5)...A wi-fi box, which activates reverse, and partial accelerator, to any cars that I point at, so I can get to the front of any Petrol/Gasoline queues.

(6)...A wi-fi box, which gives me free internet access, and TV viewing, while driving.

(7)...A wi-fi box which cleverly detects the impending accident (because I am simultaneously internet surfing, texting, watching TV, partly sleeping, massively speeding, and a pile of other things, while driving, and reminds me to brake, or if law enforcement are near/watching.

(8)...I might need some entertainment, while taking a break in the car, on longer journeys, so a wi-fi box, could give me some entertainment options.

(9)...A wi-fi high interference box, so that if any motorists are playing really loud music, I can switch it off and/or destroy their horrible sound system.

(10)...A first-aid kit. So that if anyone is injured or ill, I can help them out. (It has a built in radio signal generator (wi-fi), so if it is opened, medical staff know about the situation).

DISCLAIMER: This post is meant in jest/joke, so please drive sensibly/responsibly and safely!

This video shows amazing (to me, at least) new car safety systems, already available on some cars

I'd have the immobilizer stuff torn out in one weekend.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

I'd have most of those torn out in one weekend.

It would detect you doing that, and send a wi-fi 911 call to defend the inner HAL2001 AI cpus. You would have law enforcement surrounding you in milli-seconds.

 

[nerp]

you can use it to say "thanks" or give a thumbs up as well. that's what I would use it for if I had such a thing

I blow kisses. It upsets closet cases a lot. And that works better than any anger display.

 

[Kaido]

There's some interesting info on Subaru's gen-2 EyeSight system:

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/01/26/subaru-eyesight-color-cameras/

* Available later in 2014
* New color cameras
* 15% size reduction (located at top interior windshield)
* 40% longer & wider detection range than original system
* Ability to see color = recognize brake lights at a speed differential of 30 MPH (previous 19 MPH)
* Still includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, pre-collision braking
* Radar-based safety assist systems:
** Blind Spot Detection (side & rear-mounted radar)
** Lane Change Assist (side view mirror alert)
** New - Rear Cross Traffic Alert system (can detect vehicles up to 23 feet behind the car)

I'm all for extra safety systems. There are a lot of people out there who need to drive, but aren't great drivers, either due to a lack of coordination & situation awareness, or old age, or whatever, so anything that can help people drive in a safer manner is +1 in my book. The only downside is that it's something like $2400 to add on, and it's not available for every model yet.

 

[Doppel]

Pointless.

1) most people deserving it have already raced around you and cut you off, a sign on the BACK of your car is pointless unless YOU are the one being a douchebag

2) even if the sign does apply it will just give the offender more smug satisfaction.

3) like a child stomping his feet in protest, you can't do anything about the situation itself so showing a sign like that is basically admitting defeat

Its far more satisfying to out power someone and prevent the event in the first place and just completely destroy their sense of worth and deflate their bravado than to be the one flipping them off while they laugh at you in their mirror. Much more fun to deny them their ricer fly by and watch their penis deflate as they stay 10 cars back and lose all interest in tangling with you from then on.

Never understood flipping people off, it basically just validates that they "won" and youre just throwing a tantrum and making it that much sweeter.

Normally when somebody gives me the finger or similar it does have the impact you're implying. I just laugh at them. Blowing kisses is definitely very effective. What gives me great joy though is when I'm trying to merge, not being a dick about it, but for whatever reason somebody is being a dick and just refuses to let me merge, so instead I then drive up further ahead and merge in front of the car in front of them. It represents my dominance. Also, if somebody is being a tail gating asshole and then you end up on a road with two lanes each way, make sure you are running abreast of another car so that the guy is unable to pass you after all. You can actually feel the rage projected by them in your car and the rage alone can warm up your cabin on a cold winter's day.

I'd have the immobilizer stuff torn out in one weekend.

And then you'll get pulled over. You've mentioned this in the past, but you'll no more get away with that than driving around without a license plate. As cameras become more ubiquitous we'll approach the point where you're regularly being pinged as you drive along. If your car isn't sending back an expected signal, which tells the system you're up to snuff on your current registration, annual checkup, other essential electronics in the car working properly you'll be flagged and then monitored as you pass through various other electronic check points on major motor ways.

A few decades from now modern transportation is going to be wildly different than it is today. Fast cars driving illegally on public roads will be a thing of the past. We'll all move toward increasing comfort and safety in our cars and performance will be irrelevant because it will be completely inapplicable.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

I'd have the immobilizer stuff torn out in one weekend.

It (the immobiliser) would probably perform powerful internal self checks and send heavily encrypted signals, during the ignition on/start sequence.

If these signals are missing and/or wrong stuff like the ignition/Engine computer/controller, central locking/Alarm system computer, electric fuel pump system, and possibly many other ECUs (electronic control units, metal/plastic boxes, all over the cars wiring harness) in the car, would refuse to let the vehicle drive, start the engine, release the parking brake (if electronic), etc.

 

[exdeath]

FPGAs and microcontrollers to mimic whatever is required with false data.

Don't pull this totalitarian shit with me. It won't fly.

All else fails, stand alone ECU. Fuel, air, spark. Done.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

FPGAs and microcontrollers to mimic whatever is required. Don't pull this totalitarian shit with me.

That would do it, if you can successfully break the encryption/keygen methodology and/or find out from another source.
(If the encryption is built into the hardware of a custom and/or rom masked chip (flash would probably be doable for them, as well, if chip can keep it inaccessible), with no external bus access, it can be VERY difficult to crack).

Depending on how sophisticated they are with the technology. If it relies on using high speed ASICs, then even FPGAs may struggle.
Also they could use rapid radio band switching techniques, which can only really be done on a very high frequency custom integrated circuit (2.4 GHz), making defeating it extremely difficult/unlikely.
I.e. similar to Bluetooth.

 

[SOFTengCOMPelec]

All else fails, stand alone ECU. Fuel, air, spark. Done.

Ninja!

Yes, that would do it.

Or just keep driving a 1936 Ford model T, with hardly any sophisticated electronic bits.

Although exceeding the fastest roads speed limits, or escaping from law enforcement, would be a significant achievement with it. (Assuming it remains unmodified, without triple superchargers, quad turbo, Nitro, and swapping the original engine for a V16, 12 litre one, while maintaining its light weight).

 

[Kaido]

Smart Rearview Mirror from Nissan: (video)

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/28/nissan-smart-rearview-mirror-geneva-video/

 

[Kaido]

Apple announces CarPlay:

http://www.engadget.com/2014/03/03/apple-announces-carplay-voice-and-touch-access-offers-access-to/

Will be interesting to see:

1. How this pans out in the real world
2. How this lives on in the future (new car every 2 years with a phone upgrade?)
3. How this works for Android & non-smartphone users

 

[Aikouka]

Smart Rearview Mirror from Nissan: (video)

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/28/nissan-smart-rearview-mirror-geneva-video/

I think that can be a rather nice idea. I know I have issues seeing out the back of my car if I have any passengers in the back seat. Although, I would have to see the quality of the camera first. My old Altima had a fairly nice rear camera, but my Ford has always seemed washed out in comparison. So, I hope Nissan doesn't change theirs.

Apple announces CarPlay:

http://www.engadget.com/2014/03/03/apple-announces-carplay-voice-and-touch-access-offers-access-to/

My thoughts fall along the same line as Anandtech. I think Apple's solution would work better if they controlled more of the integration. However, the one thing we don't know about this CarPlay system is what rules Apple has placed on the manufacturers. Does Apple have strict guidelines on what sort of features the infotainment system must support?

For example, my biggest complaint in my car is probably the navigation system. It uses a movement system that harkens back to the GPS units of yore where you poke to move. These days, if I need to find something quickly, it's far more efficient to just take out my smartphone than deal with my car's built-in navigation.

Apart from probably needing software upgrades to the infotainment system, I don't think we'll have to worry about Apple's yearly hardware upgrades. Newer hardware might be able to support newer features, but that's probably about it. Honestly, I think that cars are already bad enough with some of the technology. I'm a bit of a tech nut, and consequently, the reason why I upgraded my car was just for new technology. That may sound crazy since you can buy aftermarket equipment, but from what I saw, none of it would ever work as seamlessly as an OEM unit would, and I'm too anal to deal with that!