Smart Car-to-Car Navigation Network in Japan

nomrniceguy writes "Japan now boasts some of the latest technology in zapping computerized data to millions of cars, delivering what may be the world's smartest way to drive. New navigation systems in Japan can quickly tell drivers which roads have traffic jams. A computerized FM radio broadcast system that collects and sends information from more than 28,000 infrared and radio-wave beacons installed along roads, they can also calculate how many seconds it would take to drive through virtually every block of the nation's cities and then find the fastest routes. In tests by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, a Japanese research group, cars connect to other cars wirelessly to get information about a traffic accident or an approaching ambulance."

Comments

Re:Malicious Worms

[forceflow2]

Or cause the system to advertise a great viagra alternative.

Well, that wouldn't be hard...

[BJH]

New navigation systems in Japan can quickly tell drivers which roads have traffic jams.

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main(void) {
getc(stdin);
printf("Yes.\n");
exit(0);
}

$ gcc -o nav nav.c
$ ./nav
Is there a traffic jam on this road?
Yes.
$


And I'm not joking...

Cars not only beneficiary of computerization.

[Sheetrock]

In downtown Japan, there are a great deal of computerized navigational assistants as well. Pay phones, largely obsolete because of the prevalence of cellphones, have been adapted to 'phone maps' -- lift a receiver up and a cheerful voice (or sometimes a flat tone) will request where you want to go.

Upon speaking the destination (speech to text is not perfect, especially if you don't speak the language, so it may take a couple tries) you'll notice a RFID-tagged card issued from the machine and speakers along the sidewalk will guide you to where you want to go, within reason. More modern places will also light the sidewalks with your issued card color, although this relies on service funding by the merchants.

Re:Japan

[forceflow2]

This means, sadly, we nerds get screwed.

And not the good kind of screwed, neither.

"wish i thought of it" haiku

[swyterw]

leave it to japan.
its just a great idea.
it makes so much sense.


-w

Hack it

[dotslashdot]

A great hack would be to redirect all the annoying drivers talking on the cell phone, putting on make up, having sex and playing the guitar while driving into the ocean.

It's all fun and games...

[Raijin Z]

...until some political undesirables are directed into a fiery death. "The bridge around this blind corner is NOT out. Please proceed quickly."

I have an easier solution...

[Anonymous Coward]

..everyone drives an ambulance. Then we can all turn the sirens on and all get to work on time.

Re:Malicious Worms

[cuteseal]

Or if a hacker found a way to broadcast bogus information to other vehicles to cause traffic mayhem.

Could bring a new meaning to the term "war driving" :D

Re:Japan

[jrumney]

99% of Japanese are better dressed than their American counterparts.

99% of anyone are better dressed than their American counterparts. Except maybe Canadians.

Actually, most Japanese have pretty awful fashion sense, they just buy a lot of designer labels and follow sometimes bizarre trends (loose socks, anyone?). But still, better than their American counterparts.