Safer “Intelligent Cars” Or Big Brother Inside?

By Bruce Richter

Bruce Richter

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Safer “Intelligent Cars” Or Big Brother Inside?
“Intelligent cars” that can send driving behavior information to insurance companies and... Read More

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“Intelligent cars” that can send driving behavior information to insurance companies and police--that may very well be the future of the automobile, that is, if computer chip giant Intel has anything to do with it.

According to the folks at Intel, a car being developed by them much like the one on display at their Intel Research Day in Mountain View, California, will be equipped with a “black box” similar to what you find in aircraft. The box will be capable of recording information such as vehicle speed, steering, and braking along with “30 seconds” worth of video footage from inside and outside of the vehicle. Intel says this is the first step towards developing a smart vehicle that will be able to detect dangers on the road and actually take over the vehicle’s controls to help prevent accidents. Some see it as an extension of the vehicle dynamics systems already in place in many cars today, which alter acceleration and braking in corners of the vehicle when it begins to loose traction in a skid or slide. 

Intel representatives went on to say that other “enhancements that will improve the driving experience” are within the realm of possibilities, such as sensors to detect pot holes, surrounding vehicles, obstructions, ‘wrong way’ and ‘do not enter’ signs.

And they pointed out that insurance companies are expected to welcome on-board car systems like this. They would probably not be alone. Police agencies would also be able to determine fault in accidents with the system. Is there any reason the usage of the information should stop there. How hard can it be to track speeders and forward that information, much like the capabilities of the early EZ Pass-type auto toll recording technology.

And, for instance, if a vehicle can be traced back to an owner/operator who has delinquent parking violations, is there any reason the system can’t take over the operation of the vehicle and have it, say, stop in front of the police station?

[Wheels Blog]