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Automakers Working on Car-to-Car Ad-Hoc Networks

LouCifer writes "The Register is reporting that BMW, Audi, Daimler Chrysler, Volkswagen, Renault and Fiat are working with a German government grant to help develop a standard method for car-to-car wireless networking dubbed 'NOW' (Network On Wheels). NOW is based on 802.11 and IPv6 to allow inter-vehicle communication based on ad-hoc networking to share traffic information. With routing capabilities, the hope is the vehicles will be able to warn each other - and the drivers - about bad weather, accidents and road problems. A prototype is expected by mid-2005 with field trials to start late Q1 2006."

14 of 376 comments (clear)

  1. Just wait until the script kiddies get going... by LBArrettAnderson · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Wait... This can't be right... bad weather... everywhere!?"

    1. Re:Just wait until the script kiddies get going... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Cool. Now I can IM the idiot in the left lane in front of me and tell him to move his ass!

  2. Obligatory Kit statement by Jeffery · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Michael, there's a hooker two corners up on the right."

    --
    President Bush Supporter
  3. My traffic problems solved... by xstonedogx · · Score: 5, Funny

    A little spoofing and I should be able to convince all the people ahead of me and next to me that there's an accident up ahead and they should take an alternate route.

  4. This has been around for years by Nine+Tenths+of+The+W · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's called CB radio

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    Slashdot: News for Nerds, Stuff that matters only to them
  5. Cars and the IRC Model :: Later On... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now Entering... #401-West-Toronto on crc.ontario.ca
    Welcome yup28! Please read the !rules
    [p1geon] hey yup!
    [yup28] !rules
    [yup28] oh hey p1ge... just checking rules... brb2min
    *** OPP1 sending you rules.txt: Read them carefully please, and you can help stay safe while driving.
    [alsz847] Yes! I just got the lastest version of XP over C2C. Remember when we used to have to pay for it before MSC went under???
    [geek-boy] Yeah? Where you headed now anyway?
    [geek-boy] omg that was years ago als... you must be old
    [speedy] WTF Cut me off asshole!!!!
    * speedy slaps geek-boy with a large trout
    [geek-boy] Sorry... I was lighting a smoke.
    [angel-eyez2] heya boys...
    [alsz847] it says this has some new features like a fenderwall and splat... wtf is a splat
    [geek-boy] hey angel... you are looking spiffy today!! *whistle*
    [angel-eyez2] pfft ya right that hair is so y2k... nice try tho studly studderson
    [speedy] als: it's a bug remover... for your windows... except it cleans windshields too
    [alsz847] Argh. I crashed.
    [alsz847] Hold on guys.
    [speedy] serves you right driving like you're on crack ffs j/k
    [alsz847] Is there an admin in here???!?!?!?!
    [alsz847] FUCK ME!!! AAAARGGGGH I"M ON FIRE!!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH IT HURTS!!!!
    [geek-boy] you ok d00d??? omg!!!
    [angel-eyez2] i'm near him... his car's on FIRE! 0mg he's cute!!!
    [angel-eyez2] msging admin for him
    *** OPP-J55 has entered #401-West-Toronto
    [speedy] thank god, a cop when ya need one
    [OPP-J55] What seems to be the problem?
    [angel-eyez2] check my pos, OPP... I'm at the accident with alz
    [yup28] hi is anyone here?

    [[[* C2C: {car2car}]]]

  6. Get out of the left lane slowpoke by bmongar · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think it would be great to be able to send messages to other drivers. I'd like some precanned ones like 'Get out of the left lane slowpoke', 'Try a turn signal', 'Off My Ass' just to name a few. I realize that this probably isn't what the article is about (of course I didn't read it) but that's what comes to mind when I think of a car to car network.

    --
    As x approaches total apathy I couldn't care less.
  7. Great... by Zorilla · · Score: 5, Funny

    First, they're going to install communication systems on all cars, then I'm going to lose all my points on my cab-driving license after the car phones home during an accident, then they're going to ask me to save the universe.

    ...Multipass!

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    It would be cool if it didn't suck.
  8. Protocol by clone22 · · Score: 5, Funny

    126

    --
    Ask me about my vow of silence!
  9. Re:look to the future by Mr.+Bad+Example · · Score: 5, Funny

    > Oh yeah, "imagine an ad hoc network of these" jokes coming soon

    I believe you mean "Imagine a BMW cluster of these".

  10. crashdot: instant karma by schwaang · · Score: 4, Funny

    Finally we'll be able to mod other drivers properly:
    -1, Crashbait
    -1, Tailgater
    -1, Ugly kid in rear-facing seat on long trip
    +1, Thanks for actually using that turn signal thingy
    +1, Hey hottie, can I get your phone number?

  11. I've always... by charlie763 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've always wondered what would would happen if I were hit with spam at 130kph.

    --
    Welcome to the land of the free...pay toll ahead...no photography...please open your bag...
  12. Re:Road Rage by worst_name_ever · · Score: 4, Funny
    fine art road rage

    You mean, throwing paintings, or what?

    --

    In Soviet Rush, today's Tom Sawyer gets high on you.
  13. Re:Great.. now my car... by Odin's+Raven · · Score: 5, Funny
    Great.. now my car can get spam and porn too...

    Not to mention the wonderful wackiness that will come when spyware/adware gets involved.

    • Driver: Dammit, where the hell are we going now?!?
    • Interstate Explorer: McDonalds, left turn off Exit 39.
    • Driver: This is the tenth frickin' McD's we've been to this trip!!!
    • Interstate Explorer: The EULA for the AutoNav Wi-Fi Free Edition you installed clearly stated that you wanted to be offered special deals by AutoNav Wi-Fi partner locations along your route.
    • Driver: But I don't *want* another Big Mac! I thought AutoNav just said it'd help optimize my driving routes.
    • Driver: Execute command "Search Burger King".
    • Interstate Explorer: Request redirected to McWi-Fi McSearch McEngine (tm).
    • Interstate Explorer: Search complete, one match found for topic "McDonalds".
    • Driver: I said BURGER KING!
    • Interstate Explorer: McDonalds, 10 ft ahead on left, entering drive-thru lane.
    • McOrderBot : Welcome to McDonalds!
    • Driver: Help, I'm being kidnapped!
    • McOrderBot : Macrosoft Voice Recognition (tm) engaged.
    • McOrderBot : Hello to you too. One McKid's Naptime Meal. Honk once to confirm.
    • Interstate Explorer: *honk*
    • Interstate Explorer: *honk* *honk* *honk*
    • McOrderBot : Four McKid's Naptime Meals. Credit card info received from AutoNav ChargeBot (tm). Thank you for using the McDonalds/AutoNav "One Honk Shopping (tm)" service. Please pull forward.
    • Driver: (jiggling door handle to no avail)
    • Driver: Open the driver-side door!
    • Interstate Explorer and McOrderBot (in unison): We're sorry, Dave, but we can't let you do that.
    --
    A marriage is always made up of two people who are prepared to swear that only the other one snores.