[Quietcars] Cars That Think

Fri Jun 25 06:12:48 UTC 2010

Hi Michael,

I have to manage our budget but as soon as possible, I'm pre-ordering the C2-270 even before JC Whitney takes delivery, July 19. It has to do with how I value safety. I'll let you know how it works out . . . 

Bob Wilson

> Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:10:33 -0400
> From: mrtownsend at optonline.net
> To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Quietcars] Cars That Think
> 
> 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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