[Quietcars] Cars That Think

Mon Jun 21 16:10:33 UTC 2010

Bob, and as more cars feature these types of accident avoidance systems, be
they able to alert and deploy for autos or pedestrian traffic, the better
off we'll all be.  It seems to me that I'm recalling that the higher end
Prius models have these, as well do higher end German or other Japanese
makers. Wonder if similar offerings are going to be made mandatory on all
but budget vehicles in the not too distant future?  Would be a good thing,
no!!!

-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Robert Wilson
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 7:57 AM
To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Quietcars] Cars That Think

Hi,

Yesterday, June 20, one of the Prius owners posted this description of the
Prius accident avoidance system at work in a close-call:

* * * begin quote * * *

Two lanes of traffic, I'm on the left lane and we're heading to an underpass
(very short. It just goes under a railway bridge).

It's bright and sunny but kinda dark under the bridge. I was doing about
60km/h give or take. As I emerged from the underpass, I was distracted
(can't remember what I was looking at). When I looked forward again, I
noticed that the car in front had brake because there was a car attempting
to turn left. I had enough time to brake but given that I wasn't looking
forward prior to the vehicle ahead of me braking, I kinda panicked so I
quickly pressed the brake.

1. Car sensed an emergency stop because my foot came off the accelerator
quickly. Brake Assist kicked in

2. Car came to a very
quick stop (I'm impressed!!) with a quick tyre squeal and ABS kicking in. I
didn't come to a complete stop because, like I said above, I had plenty of
space. I just had a reflex action to the brake lights ahead and the vehicle
ahead of me nearly stopped so I did release the brake pedal when I realised
that the Prius was stopping a lot shorter/faster than I needed to.

3. PCS kicked in (no "BRAKE!" warning or beeping or anything like that). The
seatbelts tightened (I heard the electric motor whirled as the seatbelt held
me right against the seat but honestly, it didn't click in (no pun intended)
until I came to a smooth stop behind the car. I was thinking, (whoa, the
seatbelt's a little tight. On a normal car, the ELR [emergency locking
retractor] would've released the tension the moment I returned to my
position but I'm sitting right now in my normal driving position and my
seatbelt's still tight)

4. A few seconds after I stopped, I heard a whirl and the seatbelts released
the tension.

What did I learn from this?

1. Don't be distracted cause things change in a split second (i.e. the car
in front moving at 60km/h to coming to a full stop)

2. Trust the Prius' brakes. They WORK and they work really well.

3. PCS is always looking out for you and works even without the auto-brake
or "BRAKE!" warning.

* * * end quote * * *
source:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/81679-first-experi
ence-pre-collision-system.html#post1141297

One last bit to share, Mobileye has announced an accident avoidance system,
model C2-270, that is supposed to be sensitive to pedestrians and work at
night. It is an optical system that mounts between the windshield and the
rear view mirror and provides audio alerts and display. It is an electronic,
unblinking, never tired, driver's aid to help avoid accidents. 

Mobileye plans to sell it via JC Whitney for $920. JC Whitney is one of the
most well known, after-market sales companies and reports having 400 units
by the end of July. The C2-270 price includes installation at Costco, Sears,
WalMart and other auto repair and service companies.

I learned about it last week and have asked for more technical
specifications but don't have them, yet. Regardless, it appears to be an
Isralie designed system offered by an European company. Still, these 1st
generation systems are showing another way to improve safety.

Bob Wilson

> Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:51:58 -0400
> From: mrtownsend at optonline.net
> To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Quietcars] Cars That Think
> 
> Not specifically about hybrids, but about cars of the future, some of 
> whose features are nearly here or are here now.
> 
> Mike T
> 
> June 18, 2010
> 
> Scientific American Frontiers: Cars That Think The fully automatic car 
> may still be down the road, but cars that think for you are just 
> around the corner -- they watch out for hazards, they listen to you, 
> and they even know when you're distracted. A car of the future may 
> very well be a "computer with wheels," says host Alan Alda.
. . .

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