Highways of the future feature tagging bumpers . . .
02-22-07, 09:06 AM
#1
Out of Warranty
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Highways of the future feature tagging bumpers . . .
Ever feel like you want to reach out and "touch" that guy ahead of you on the freeway? According to an article in ISA (Instrument Society of America)'s InTech newsletter, you just may get that chance - or rather your car may do it for you.
You've probably seen the GM footage of the squadron of Buicks on the freeway in an exaggerated nose-to-tail formation, doing the civilian impression of the back straight at Daytona, well the boys in the UK have gone one better. While all that radar braking sounds good, it's impractical. What if someone's radar hiccups? The result could be carnage. In the event of the appearance of electronic gremlins, why not have the bumper simply extend to touch the car in front, communicating directly with it?
With the kind of logic that only a deeply committed nerd could muster, this looks like the solution for a question yet to be asked. The sight of a "train" of vehicles flying down the highway while scuffing bumpers might be OK if your name is Waltrip or Gordon, it's a little intimidating to us regular folks. Now try it while reading the morning paper and sipping your coffee. Gives a whole new meaning to "bump draft".
Where's Ricky Bobby when you need him?
http://www.isa.org/Content/ContentGr...d_highways.htm
You've probably seen the GM footage of the squadron of Buicks on the freeway in an exaggerated nose-to-tail formation, doing the civilian impression of the back straight at Daytona, well the boys in the UK have gone one better. While all that radar braking sounds good, it's impractical. What if someone's radar hiccups? The result could be carnage. In the event of the appearance of electronic gremlins, why not have the bumper simply extend to touch the car in front, communicating directly with it?
With the kind of logic that only a deeply committed nerd could muster, this looks like the solution for a question yet to be asked. The sight of a "train" of vehicles flying down the highway while scuffing bumpers might be OK if your name is Waltrip or Gordon, it's a little intimidating to us regular folks. Now try it while reading the morning paper and sipping your coffee. Gives a whole new meaning to "bump draft".
Where's Ricky Bobby when you need him?
http://www.isa.org/Content/ContentGr...d_highways.htm
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