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

Posted by michael on from the C2C dept.

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."

4 of 376 comments (clear)

  1. This could be awesome... by bennomatic · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Imagine if this technology were built into large parking lots, so you would know upon entering where the nearest parking place was that did not have a likely parker approaching ahead of you...

    --
    The CB App. What's your 20?
    1. Re:This could be awesome... by leerpm · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Other good uses:
      • Automatic warnings to all cars of accidents *the moment* it happens.. Think about how many lives could be saved if you could even warn oncoming cars a few seconds earlier.
      • Ability for travellers to self-police. If some guy is driving 60mph+ over the speed limit, likely you could have people report this driver.. Enough complaints and an officer will know where to respond.
      • Automatic 'fastest route' calculation based on traffic densities. No more guessing, you can just rely on computer algorithms using real-time information.
    2. Re:This could be awesome... by cayenne8 · · Score: 4, Interesting
      "So if you speed past me in excess, or have trouble maintaining your lane, I'm calling you in. If you're being dangerous then I'll follow you and keep the dispatcher updated as to where you're going until a patrol car catches up and deals with you."

      Well, if you can't stay in your lane...then yes, that is dangerous, and indicates you are either driving beyond your means...or intoxicated.

      However, going fast is not necessarily unsafe. If you are on the highway, there are often stretches where speeds of 100+ are perfectly safe. Also, depends on the car you have. I have a car that is not only perfectly able to handle high speeds, it is also superior to most others in stopping and handling turns. What is safe for me in my car is not so much for others with cheap basic cars. If this network made things more subjective...in this sense...I'd say I'd consider it.

      Also, just because someone 'reports' me as speeding...unless the law sees me do it...they can't ticket me. And I've got plenty of good radar/laser detection to see them before they see me. I know nothing is infallible (sp?), but, I find with my driving techniques, detectors, and keeping a good eye out for all kinds of traffic. I've not had any problem with any type of traffic tickets. [knock wood]. And the only time I even look at my speedometer, is if the detector goes off or I visually see a cop....

      "It's really not that hard to not be an asshat behind the week. Try it; you might even like it."

      I'd say I consider myself to be a pretty darned courteous driver actually...I drive what is safe for the situation I am in (plenty of stopping distance, can avoid others about to wreck). I allow people to pass me, if they are needing to go faster than me (ie I move out of the left lane)...and I have no problem letting people merge in traffic in heavy flow..etc. So...yes, I do like to be a thoughful driver, but, that isn't necessarily driving the 'posted limit' if in fact the driving situation is safe for driving faster. The limits are the lowest common denominator for weak cars....and mostly, a source of REVENUE for the cops.

      If they took away the funds from speeding tickets from the police....and indeed payed them per homicide solved or other violent crimes...I can assure you they'd severely curtail traffic speed traps, and start to pursue REAL crimes that hurt us all...

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  2. More distraction is all we need by Salo2112 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Great. As if cell phones are not a big enough distraction, now we'll have to contend with drivers downloading mp3s, rolling game rooms and drive-by hackings.