[Quietcars] Cars That Think

Fri Jun 25 11:26:37 UTC 2010

Thanks, Bob, and please do so when you can.

-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Robert Wilson
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2010 2:13 AM
To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Quietcars] Cars That Think

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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