[Quietcars] Regression testing 2010 Prius

Sun Jul 26 12:00:28 UTC 2009

Bad expenditures have been the conversation for a while, with the wars in
the Gulf region, to unaccounted funding missing from the fiasco at
Halliburton, to Enron, and other bailouts.  

Your points are well taken, however, being as familiar with the automobile
as I am and as much as I would like to drive, I don't think that a blind
driver is the bet of ideas. We'd successfully have to compete with those
who've put on makeup, talked on their cellular phones, who have read a paper
or book, smacked the kids, looked for something in their purse or brief
cases, and possibly could have joined those who'd done all of those while
driving blind.  

I'm reminded of the Al Puccino movie where he drives a rented Ferrari.
Funny bit.  

Give me an engine with four or five gears on the floor and loud pipes any
day.

However, until that wish comes true, I'll try and walk safely with my Seeing
eye dog, hoping that those who use and abuse technology won't cramp my
style.  Plus, I'll keep the weight off.  

Thanks, Mary Ellen.

-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mary Ellen
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 6:48 PM
To: 'Discussion of new quiet cars and pedestrian safety'
Subject: Re: [Quietcars] Regression testing 2010 Prius

It strikes me that these new computer systems may ultimately lead to a
driverless car as we now have planes which can be controlled (including
being landed) by computers. My experiences whith computers have led me to
have great respect for artificial intelligence; at the same time I have been
frustrated by it. I will have to become considerably more trusting before
I'm willing to let the machine take over completely, though I agree that
removing human error would ultimately make the roads safer for everyone.
There is now a prototype of a small car blind people can drive. It will take
a while before the accident avoidance systems on cars converge with the
blind friendly technology so that we really could independently operate a
vehicle. 
When Dr. Maurer first proposed the idea, I thought it was kind of a waste of
time. I've never been interested in cars and don't mind not being able to
drive. Now that our four children need to get to activities where the public
transportation system doesn't efficiently take them, I'm rethinking my
position. Last evening we decided to take an impromptu trip to rent a
vintage movie not available at our local video store. That jaunt cost $29
taxi fare. It makes a person far less willing to yield to impulse and
definitely cuts down on spontaneity.
I realize this post is somewhat off topic. Pedestrian safety is the number
one priority. In addition to helping pedestrians by avoiding accidents,
reliable crash avoidance technology could conceivably turn blind people into
drivers.
Our planet would probably be better served in the long run by an excellent
public transportation system. In the meantime, the private car will
unfortunately continue to be the transportation mode of choice for
practically everybody. It would be nice if private transport were available
to all.

-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Robert Wilson
Sent: July 25, 2009 8:23 AM
To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Quietcars] Regression testing 2010 Prius

> 
> This accident avoidance system is being advertised on e of the MB 
> sport utes.  I think that it is the ML350 that systems seat belts, 
> rolls up windows, applies brakes etc.  . . .

Similar systems are available for the SAAB, Lexus and the top-end Prius. But
with the exception of the Prius, these vehicles start at over $40,000. The
Prius is cheap at $30,000 but even this is too rich for my budget. 

One of the ironies of life is the Prius systems, even the older ones, are
already electronic controlled. This makes them a natural for automated
accident avoidance systems. But best of all, the same sensors that prevent
an accident also provide what is called 'smart cruise control.' This means
the car follows the truck or car in front and maintains a safe following
distance all the time. Today's cruise controls have no distance feedback
mechanism so the driver has to still moderate the speed for the vehicle in
front.

The other important feature they provide is 'lane following.' This means
they keep the vehicle from wandering off the road (to you know where!) The
accident statistics say vehicles going on sidewalks are rare but I remember
reading this past year of a drunk banker who assaulted a blind pedestrian by
driving his jeep on the sidewalk and pinning the pedestrian. The last news
report showed the pedestrian in the hospital, awake, but in for a long and
painful recovery. I can't help but think that lane following in that jeep
might have avoided that accident (although electric shocks through the seat
sounds more appropriate for that drunk driver.)

Last year, these accident avoidance systems virtually didn't exist. It
wasn't until December of 2008 that I first got hint of them. Now I can buy a
digital signal processor designed to take digital camera and radar inputs
and recognize objects in the road. Many of these digital signal processor
and camera systems have existed in factories for years on assembly lines
watching the robots assemble small parts but now this technology is moving
towards our cars.

Non-hybrid cars still have mostly mechanical systems, a fraction of the
computer controls found in a hybrid electric. So I don't see them adopting
these accident avoidance systems rapidly, certainly not in the economy
vehicles. However, antilock brakes and electronic vehicle stability systems
are an important element. With brake inputs, you have a basis to start from
even though it is a crude sort of control.

In contrast, the only way my Prius moves is a network of computers that
operate the different systems. I'm not really driving the car as much as
providing inputs to these control computers that handle power steering,
power brakes and the hybrid electric power systems including the engine.
There is no throttle cable from the accelerator to the engine but signals
from the operator controls to the control computers. This is the natural
home for always working, accident avoidance systems that can provide the
extra margin for both pedestrian and vehicle safety. 

My first posting was to share that the 2010 Prius has a distinct audio
signature that experience Prius owners have noticed. We care because it
helps us with problem diagnosis. These sounds, the inverter mosquito-like
whine, brake pump and inverter pump may help those with limited or no vision
and possibly be incorporated in guide dog training. That is why regression
testing of the 2010 Prius may make sense.

Bob Wilson

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