Cars 'immortal' cars of the future

V2V's display screen

Rain pouring, not owning the steering wheel, the monster . There are 1,001 reasons for the car accident is always the leading cause of many deaths in America. And there is only one way to limit most accidents, which is to create cars that can predict the collision and take action to stop it .

No more car accidents in traffic? Technology of communication between cars, also known as V2V, can solve this problem. Researchers are making many improvements to V2V can actually apply in practice.

The higher accuracy of global positioning technology (GPS) will allow you to quickly determine the correct position of your vehicle at any time, plus vehicle stability testing methods. By detecting speed parameters as well as driving directions and putting this information on a computer already installed on the car. But there is still another challenge: how to get the means to transfer that data to the cars that share the road with you.

The display of the vehicle goes right over the rearview mirror.

To encourage V2V technology to develop, the Federal Telecommunications Commission has allowed the use of the 5.9 GHz band - the dedicated band of short-range telecommunications technology (DSRC) - to communicate among vehicles, and with information relay installed on both sides of the road.

Volkswagen electronics research lab - which supports the creation of an auto car - VW Touareg, won the Grand Darpa robo Challenge last year - recently installed DSRC devices into two Jettas and 2 Audi A3s, using the V2V method to successfully drive these vehicles through San Francisco."V2V technology can be put into use right now," said Carsten Bergmann, VW project manager . (Of course, to get the right specifications for the right car at the right time requires a calculation system that helps detect the dangers very accurately, and with 4 cars it is always easier. hundreds of pieces).

General Motor has launched a better VW brand: the Cadillac CTS is equipped with DSRC technology that can stop itself to avoid accidents . The vehicle's improved capital stability test system can predict the direction of the vehicle - for example, if there is a vehicle also equipped with DSRC in the middle of the road, the system will quickly activate the vehicle. the computer wins the car without the driver doing anything. The results are impressive, but also somewhat worrisome, and many people are skeptical that Americans with free lifestyles will never tolerate fully automated vehicles.

The Cadillac CTS is equipped with DSRC technology
stop yourself to avoid accidents . (Photo: dieselstation)

Fortunately, engineer Tomiji Sugimoto and his team at Honda's Research and Development Department are creating a new type of vehicle that combines people with machines, and the driver can still self-regulate. control the car. The models mentioned above are merely machines that cannot think. But Honda is developing a tactile feedback system, such as a steering wheel or a pedal that can vibrate. Mr. Sugimoto said: "We are talking about a system that functions as if it wants to gain control of the car with the driver." Only if this system is uncomfortable for the driver, its feedback is always correct.

Next 5 years: Vehicles diagnose diseases themselves

Currently, BMW is introducing a 4-seater car with remote consultation service: the car will send a notice to the mechanic when it is time to change the oil or do other periodic services. The BMW spokesman also said that in the next few years there will be "remote diagnostic services", and cars will send e-mail to their owners when one of the fuel injection systems fails or when The car detected a problem with an electric knife for example.

Next 5 years: Smart glasses

You may not need to use a shield on the car. Saint-Gobain Company of France is developing a chrome-plated glass that is transmitted by wire and this glass will be dark when you rotate it. The thin metal wires that transfer onto the glass surface of a thin layer of oxygen can prevent ultraviolet rays and solar heat. Ferrari is using this type of glass for the hood of Superamerica products (limited production in 2005). Can buy this new technology sports car less than a decade.

Ferrari is using chrome-plated glass that is transmitted by wire
Metal for the hood of Superamerica products (Photo: retractable)

Next 10 years: Driving more interesting

Advances in the computer application industry have helped car-making professionals develop new and better vehicle control devices, such as automatic reverse island braking to minimize driver error. Mercedes, based on reasonable conclusions, has a direction to create the SL-Class line that allows the car to be controlled with a directional adjustment. Its engineers say these need to be more accurate and easier to use than the rudders used so far, but the public is still not ready to change their habits, and when today's kids reach the age of driving car, then they are ready.

Mercedes created the SL-Class line that allows the car to be controlled
with need to adjust the direction . (Photo: forbesautos)

How it works

Rubber pads made of special compounds on wheel covers can automatically change shape when road conditions change

Normal wheel cover, wrapped around special rubber pieces

The assembly unit consists of many steel wires that transfer the voltage from the motor to the polymer compound

Sensors help identify changes on the road surface

Next 15 years: Tires change themselves

It is possible to replace tires used for traveling on paved roads in a bad way on the road - it is due to a special polymer compound. This material has the ability to change shape in the presence of an electric current, and is currently leading the way in "hot" research in robo research. Industrial designer James Owen thinks similar technology could be used in traffic, and he believes that the use of power from a partially powered electric motor will soon be widely adopted. Michelin agreed and James's idea won the design competition this year.