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GM Unveils Networked Electric Mini Cars
suraj.sun writes "GM introduced its Electric Networked Vehicle prototypes, one third the size of a typical car, as a way to reduce big urban auto emissions and traffic congestion. The EN-V relies on dynamic stabilization technology similar to that of the one-person Segway scooter to keep its balance, and can be operated autonomously or under manual control. In autonomous mode the EN-V is designed to use high-speed wireless connectivity and GPS navigation to automatically select the fastest route, based on real-time traffic conditions gleaned from the Web or some other networked source of traffic information."
if you are trying to move into my lane, i want my car to be able to send a signal to your car to not allow that to happen. i fully understand the implications and trust our justice system to prosecute rogue signal transmitters. many cars already implement rev limiters, so the only issue is trusting the signal.
Lower weight, lower rolling friction, probably a lower parts count, probably cheaper to manufacture.
Maybe, maybe not.
Let's put the research into providing the rider all that information on fastest route.
As batteries get lighter, electric motorcycles get more practical - http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/498/3116/Motorcycle-Article/TTXGP--Electric-Motorcycles-Race-Isle-of-Man.aspx as an example.
Until then, tow a battery trailer, with room for groceries on top.
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you are shorter of breath and one day closer to death
To be honest I'd rather ride a freaking bicycle than this boring enclosed driverless segway. Future tech used to be cool, fast and just plain kick ass. But now its just suck ass, partly due to the whole global warming doomsday environmentalist 'green' 'anything you do is a sin' mentality & paranoid obsession with safety that has been going around.
There should be less of this type of slow driverless segway and more Tesla Roadster, Wrightspeed X1 or even a practical 4 seater without worthless gimmicks like integrated twitter and facebook. There is no reason at all why electric cars should be slow, ugly and boring or even as impractical as this thing is. Basically where is my flying car and get off my lawn.
Yeah, it's just as ridiculous as building an airplane that can fl itself, as if it had some sort of autopilot.
And maybe they'll put computers in them *some day* that can do most of the work on landing and take off. After all, the computer would have to be the size of a skyscraper.
Seriously, in an HOV lane this would be easy and a reason to buy one. You could eat breakfast, talk on your cell phone (or text), do your makeup etc. in comfort.
putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+
I have been living since January 2009 in the suburb of Washington DC and why I commute by bike I have ample opportunity to see if people go out in their gardens. ;)
They don't.
During the entire spring, summer and autumn of 2009 I had barely seen 10 times people and kids doing things outside.
So go ahead and yell, "get off my lawn" but at least come and step on it yourself sometimes
Motorcycles are not death traps. Morons driving cars are death mobiles. As someone who as AVOIDED numerous crashes (there are no accidents...accidents are unavoidable collisions and most crashes are avoidable), my paranoia also works when I drive a car. It's called 'paying attention'. If more drivers practiced that, there would be fewer crashes for everyone.
.. most motorcycle riders don't really learn how to ride a bike. They think they can just get on, squeeze the throttle, and take off. My favorite saying is that any moron can ride a motorcycle at 150mph on a straight road .. it's getting it from 150mph to zero quickly that's the hard part.
.. most people that drive a car don't know what they are doing either. I've read studies that show that an expert driver can stop faster and straighter without anti-lock brakes than with them. In fact, novice drivers often over-react to anti-lock brakes and take their foot OFF the brake because of the funny noise it makes. Besides ... anti-lock brakes were not designed to stop a car faster .. they help the moron driver maintain control. As someone who has driven rear-wheel drive cars w/o anti-lock brakes in Maine .. front-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes only make cars safer for someone who hasn't bothered to learn how to drive.
Problem is
To be fair
I rarely read replies, it's my opinion and if you thought about your opinion a little more, I'm OK with that.
One word: Ice.
Unless these things have spikes that come out of the wheels there is no way they can stay up when the roads freeze.
This is my sig. There are many like it but this one is mine.
I would love to see this car in the snow... or trying to balance itself on ice...
And getting 40km of autonomy at -30C, with the heater on.
Try it! Library of Babel