[Quietcars] Cars That Think
michael townsend
mrtownsend at optonline.net
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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