xcel
11-05-2006, 09:32 PM
System won't let drivers go faster than the speed limit. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0610310229oct31,1,2164676.column?ctrack=1&cset=true)
Jim Mateja - Chicago Tribune - Oct. 31, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/F16_receiving_a_speeding_ticket.jpg
Sorry Officer, I did not know MACH 2 over the limit was illegal ;)
Say goodbye to speeding tickets--and higher auto insurance rates.
Siemens, one of the world's largest electronics companies, has come up with a system that prevents you from going faster than the posted limit.
It uses an onboard camera near the rearview mirror that can read speed-limit signs and feed the data to an onboard computer. So if the sign says 55 m.p.h., that's as fast as your car will go, not 1 m.p.h. more.
It's even smart enough to know when some mope spray-paints a 30 m.p.h. speed limit sign to read 80. And it knows the difference between I-80 and 80 m.p.h.
"It has a lexicon of literacy based on the language, color, size and shape of the different signs and fonts of the different letters and numbers," said Siemens spokesman Brad Warner.
Siemens hopes to have the speed-limit recognition system ready for a luxury car in a couple years, though it won't say which one.
"It's a European, but we can't say which or whether it will be imported to the U.S. until the manufacturer pulls the curtain," Warner said.
Of course, there's a catch or two. Your car will limit its speed to that posted only if you switch on cruise control to activate the sensors.
And considering the system was developed in Europe, it reads only kilometers, not miles per hour, but Warner guarantees it's a fast learner.
While the system certainly holds promise, can't help but wonder how big a market there will be for an option that makes motorists police themselves.
Holding at the posted 70 m.p.h. limit when others are passing at 80 m.p.h. on I-94 while traveling to Detroit is easy. Why speed to Detroit? It's holding at 70 m.p.h. when everyone is passing at 80 m.p.h. when leaving Detroit that's impossible.
Panel popularity: Dodge unveils a concept panel van version of its Nitro sport-utility at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas this week. No word on production.
Chevy will produce a panel version of its retro HHR minus windows on the sides and back and only two seats in the cabin. It's aimed at the delivery business and comes out in early 2007.
Deja vu all over again? For decades U.S. automakers griped that Japanese tariffs make it difficult--and costly--to ship vehicles to that country to sell. In fact, they still do.
Now the World Trade Organization has begun a formal investigation into allegations by the U.S., Canada and the European Union of illegal Chinese trade practices on auto parts.
A panel will examine whether China's tariffs on auto-part imports break international trade rules. The complaint is that China puts the same tariff on car parts shipped into the country as it does a car.
To avoid the tax, manufacturers have to source 40 percent of the parts by value in China. The U.S. says that discourages importing parts to assemble vehicles there.
Anything to save money: Ford says it has created a 40 percent soybean-based polyol to substitute for the petroleum-based ingredient used in foam for seat cushions, armrests and head restraints to save the world a little petrol--and save Ford $26 million a year.
Buy now, drive later: Audi says all models sold in the U.S. are eligible for its new European Delivery Program. Consumers can buy an Audi here and pick it up in Ingolstadt, Germany, after a guided tour of the factory. The cost includes shipping the car to the States. Visit audiusa.com/experience.com or any authorized Audi dealer for details.
Auto-show drumrolls: BMW will unveil its second-generation Mini Cooper at the Detroit Auto Show in January with a design change plus a higher-performance 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine. The Cooper and supercharged Cooper S go on sale early in 2007.
Nissan uses the same show to introduce a new 4-cylinder crossover smaller than Murano called Rogue. It's set to go on sale next fall.
Jim Mateja - Chicago Tribune - Oct. 31, 2006
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/F16_receiving_a_speeding_ticket.jpg
Sorry Officer, I did not know MACH 2 over the limit was illegal ;)
Say goodbye to speeding tickets--and higher auto insurance rates.
Siemens, one of the world's largest electronics companies, has come up with a system that prevents you from going faster than the posted limit.
It uses an onboard camera near the rearview mirror that can read speed-limit signs and feed the data to an onboard computer. So if the sign says 55 m.p.h., that's as fast as your car will go, not 1 m.p.h. more.
It's even smart enough to know when some mope spray-paints a 30 m.p.h. speed limit sign to read 80. And it knows the difference between I-80 and 80 m.p.h.
"It has a lexicon of literacy based on the language, color, size and shape of the different signs and fonts of the different letters and numbers," said Siemens spokesman Brad Warner.
Siemens hopes to have the speed-limit recognition system ready for a luxury car in a couple years, though it won't say which one.
"It's a European, but we can't say which or whether it will be imported to the U.S. until the manufacturer pulls the curtain," Warner said.
Of course, there's a catch or two. Your car will limit its speed to that posted only if you switch on cruise control to activate the sensors.
And considering the system was developed in Europe, it reads only kilometers, not miles per hour, but Warner guarantees it's a fast learner.
While the system certainly holds promise, can't help but wonder how big a market there will be for an option that makes motorists police themselves.
Holding at the posted 70 m.p.h. limit when others are passing at 80 m.p.h. on I-94 while traveling to Detroit is easy. Why speed to Detroit? It's holding at 70 m.p.h. when everyone is passing at 80 m.p.h. when leaving Detroit that's impossible.
Panel popularity: Dodge unveils a concept panel van version of its Nitro sport-utility at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas this week. No word on production.
Chevy will produce a panel version of its retro HHR minus windows on the sides and back and only two seats in the cabin. It's aimed at the delivery business and comes out in early 2007.
Deja vu all over again? For decades U.S. automakers griped that Japanese tariffs make it difficult--and costly--to ship vehicles to that country to sell. In fact, they still do.
Now the World Trade Organization has begun a formal investigation into allegations by the U.S., Canada and the European Union of illegal Chinese trade practices on auto parts.
A panel will examine whether China's tariffs on auto-part imports break international trade rules. The complaint is that China puts the same tariff on car parts shipped into the country as it does a car.
To avoid the tax, manufacturers have to source 40 percent of the parts by value in China. The U.S. says that discourages importing parts to assemble vehicles there.
Anything to save money: Ford says it has created a 40 percent soybean-based polyol to substitute for the petroleum-based ingredient used in foam for seat cushions, armrests and head restraints to save the world a little petrol--and save Ford $26 million a year.
Buy now, drive later: Audi says all models sold in the U.S. are eligible for its new European Delivery Program. Consumers can buy an Audi here and pick it up in Ingolstadt, Germany, after a guided tour of the factory. The cost includes shipping the car to the States. Visit audiusa.com/experience.com or any authorized Audi dealer for details.
Auto-show drumrolls: BMW will unveil its second-generation Mini Cooper at the Detroit Auto Show in January with a design change plus a higher-performance 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine. The Cooper and supercharged Cooper S go on sale early in 2007.
Nissan uses the same show to introduce a new 4-cylinder crossover smaller than Murano called Rogue. It's set to go on sale next fall.