Technology's Next Frontier: In-Car Computing

"Now I got another clown telling me what I want. Why don't they ask the consumer what he wants. How about an affordable, reliable, mode of transportation that gets exceptional gas mileage, that can transport me in reasonable comfort. Am I not alone here?"

Probably, yes. The #1 selling vehicle in the US in 2008 was the Ford F150 pickup truck. #2 was an SUV. This, flying in the face of $4.00+ gas, does seem to show a disconnect with what the public wants versus what the government tells us we want.

Granted, there are people that want a Prius-like car, but the Prius didn't even make the top 10 cars sold in the US last year.

Bricktop: I agree. It seems to me we already have plenty of gadgets and gizmos to keep our mind/eyes off the road and help us crash. What I don't see is a "less" version of vehicles.

I'll use the cell phone analogy. Many people I know always say w/ regard to their cell phones that they "just want one that will make phone calls". No internet, no web, no movies, mp3s ... etc. etc.

As you mentioned... we already have laptops. (For that matter, there are a plethora of ways to make phone calls from a computer.) Why do we need all this "sizzle"? We don't. It's useless junk to justify charging the pants off of the consumer.

The KISS (keep it simple, stupid) principle has obviously been lost on these people.

I for one would like a car that is ... just a car! (*gasp*) Much like a phone that is ... just a phone! (*shock! awe! Horror!*)

Well, I can personally see the biggest market will be for an on-board computer to warn the driver of an impending accident from another vehicle where that driver is busy monitoring:

their heat seeking pedestrian-detection software, drifting out of the lane sensor, dashboard computer -- complete with keyboard, in-car entertainment service with 22 satellite TV channels, Apple TV server, sun visor LCD TV, customized dashboard instrument screen saver and wallpaper, external rear facing LED LCD anti-tail-gating message board, car-to-car texting display, robo-are we there yet-childminder, expresso-coffee maker / heated coffee cup holder, GPS with street view, and in-dash Viking microwave oven.

Add one more item to that list and we are likely to create the first artificial black hole because your driving will subsequently suck so badly.

[bandwagon] ...HDTV! 3G! Phone! IM! Txt! Pics! George Foreman grill! Heated and cooled computer touch screen seats with seperate zone controls! Pay per view sporting and adult entertainment channels! Automatic in-trip clown entertainment for children who get bored while watching cartoons on the HDTV and are not responding to the robo-arewethereyet-childminder! Automatic "settle down and drink your coffee, Tweak" coffee server...

[/bandwagon]

It seems that all these integrated systems, whether they be cars or telephones, miss a very important point. The most important rule in live is, "He who has the most toys when it's over, wins." If you have only one toy that does it all, you lose.

This month, Hyundai is launching a system that warns motorists when they drift out of the lane they're traveling in. Another manufacturer has developed pedestrian-detection software that works with heat-seeking cameras to alert drivers when someone is in their path.

Hell, they need that because they are already distracted by cell phones. Now they think they need more distractions to correct the previous distractions just to what........ keep people connected. they'll connect alright, call a cab or hire a chauffeur then, you are either driving or working, if your doing both stay home.

I'm surprised that the ambulance chasing attorney's did not catch on to this and have a class action lawsuit against the car companies that are doing this.

phoenix911

So...

Where's the bed and bath? With all this stuff I don't see a need to waste money on a mortgage or rent.

Oh, wait! That's called a motor home.

Duh.

Hooker