X-Ray Vision While You Drive - Progressive Auto Insurance Articles & BlogsX-Ray Vision While You Drive
Automakers and researchers are developing technology — in some cases future technology, to help eliminate blind spots.
One of the most interesting approaches, still in the experimental stage, renders a vehicle's frame transparent — allowing drivers to "see" through a car's pillars and dashboard.
The technology, dubbed the transparent cockpit, was developed at the University of Tokyo in an effort led by electrical engineer Susumu Tachi.
In prototype systems, the technology uses a pair of stereo cameras mounted on the passenger-side mirror to scan the landscape and objects that are normally hidden from the driver's view by the dashboard and the solid parts of doors. The driver wears a headset that projects the cameras' output onto the interior frame. To make the illusion work, the solid parts of the car are coated with a reflective material. The result: The driver sees the items on the outside of the car as if the car's body were transparent.
Previously, Tachi demonstrated the technology in what has become known as the 'invisibility cloaking' of a raincoat. In that demonstration, images from behind a person were projected onto a raincoat, making the raincoat appear transparent.
Transparent Cockpit Technology
In this experimental technology, outside-mounted cameras allow drivers to see "through" the dashboard and door of a car.
When applied to a vehicle, this technology is quite impressive. It looks as though the driver has x-ray vision and can see through the metal and body panels of a car. This allows drivers to see a passing bicyclist or pedestrian, better judge how close they are to a curb, and improve the chances of seeing a trailing car when changing lanes.
Unfortunately, the transparent cockpit technology is still in the early proof-of-concept stage. Industry experts believe its development might be aided because it has applications in other areas, such as aviation and trucking. Interest by these other industries might help spur development in passenger cars.
A More Immediate Fix
For those who can't wait for the transparent cockpit to come to market, there are more practical alternatives for eliminating blind spots. These include:
Special side mirrors – Many automakers and third parties now offer special side mirrors that help eliminate blind spots. Some simply use a second, convex mirror in the corner of the traditional driver-side mirror. This basically gives the driver two views, where the "extra" view includes a wider angle to help see cars and other objects next to a car. This type of dual mirror is gaining popularity. For example, last year, Ford has made a special Blind Spot Mirror available on some 2009 models. It plans to make the mirror standard equipment on many Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln cars in the future.
LaneFX technology – A more sophisticated approach incorporates LaneFX technology. Typically offered through aftermarket vendors, cars equipped with LaneFX technology sweep the mirror when the driver signals a lane change. The motion of the mirror provides a broader view of passing and trailing cars.
Dash-mounted displays – Going a step further, some manufacturers, such as Mercedes-Benz, use dash-mounted displays with optional audio tones to signal the proximity of a car in either rear quarter. The solution uses short-range radar in both sides of the rear bumper to monitor areas alongside and behind a car.
Cameras – A number of automakers are adding optional cameras that give drivers a view of blind spots—particularly of objects directly behind the car. The images are typically displayed on a video monitor in the dashboard or behind the driver's sun visor.
Radar systems – At the higher end of the technology spectrum, Buick offers a radar-based system with warning lights mounted in each of the outside mirrors, so when you check your mirrors, you'll know whether it's safe to change lanes.
Infrared detection systems – To aid drivers at night, infrared detection systems are being included as an option on some trucks and in a number of car models from Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and others. These systems typically look ahead of the vehicle and project images of cars, animals, trees and other objects onto dashboard video display systems.
Although it might be years (if ever) before transparent cockpit technology moves beyond the demonstration stage, automakers are incorporating other technologies to help improve a driver's view and avoid blind spots.
August 26, 2009
X-Ray Vision While You Drive - Progressive Auto Insurance Articles & Blogs
Segway Facts About Segway HT
Segway Facts About Segway HTSegway HT Facts
- The Segway HT's top speed is 12.5 mph — two to three times faster than the average walking speed.
- Charging the Segway HT's batteries for one hour provides two hours of operation and costs about 5 cents' worth of electricity.
- Traveling downhill or decelerating generates electricity, recharging the Segway HT's batteries.
- In addition to the operator, the i Series Segway HT can accommodate 10 pounds of cargo.
- The Segway HT does not have an engine, brakes or a steering wheel — it accelerates and decelerates by responding to a person's center of gravity, and turns with a mere flick of the wrist.
- The Segway HT takes up about as much space on a sidewalk as a person — its width is similar to an average person's shoulder width.
- People who buy the Segway HT participate in special orientation classes offered around the country, but operating the Segway HT is actually very easy because its gyroscopes sense subtle body movements and use them as cues for moving forward and backward.
- The Segway HT has three performance settings:
- Beginner — Slowest turning rate and a top speed of 6 mph
- Sidewalk Operation — Medium turning rate and a top speed of 8 mph
- Open Environment — Most sensitive turning rate and a top speed of 12.5 mph
- The Segway HT can operate on a variety of terrain surfaces.
- The Segway HT has many safety features that assist in ensuring safe use and performance.
- The non-balancing Power Assist Mode allows users to walk their Segway HTs over slippery surfaces, up and down stairs, across steep slopes or wherever riding is not safe and appropriate.
Understanding Car Crashes: When Physics Meets Biology
Understanding Car Crashes: When Physics Meets Biology
DVD | 2008 | color | sound | 16x9 | 24 minutes | closed-captioned
contains additional material for teachers
$35.00 for online credit card purchases; $40 for mail-in check
In stock; usually ships within 3 daysWhy do some car crashes produce only minor injuries? How can a single crash of a car into a wall involve three separate collisions? Griff Jones, award-winning science teacher, returns to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Vehicle Research Center to answer these questions and to examine the laws of nature that determine what happens to the human body in a crash.
Jones reviews levels of organization in the body and explains how body cavities house and protect major internal organs. Through creative experiments, he explores how the third collision can cause injuries to organs. He introduces the concepts of stress and strain. He demonstrates how shortwaves can damage tissue and what happens at the cellular level.
Tools from the field of injury hydromechanics, like infidelity crash test dummies, help doctors and engineers determine what works to reduce injuries and deaths in crashes. The key to preventing injuries in any type of crash, whether it's in a race car or a family sedan, is to reduce forces on occupants. Extending impact time, keeping the occupant compartment intact, and tying occupants to the compartment are what keep people safe in car crashes when physics meets biology.
Children's Watering Cans Sold Exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Recalled Due to Violation of Lead in Paint Ban
Children's Watering Cans Sold Exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Recalled Due to Violation of Lead in Paint BanNEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 28, 2007
Release #07-290Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 739-4120
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Children's Watering Cans Sold Exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Recalled Due to Violation of Lead in Paint Ban
Note: there has been an expansion of this recall
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.Name of Product: Robbie Ducky™ Kids Watering Cans
Units: About 6,000
Importer: Jo-Ann Stores Inc., of Hudson, Ohio
Hazard: The beak of the watering can contains lead in the paint, which violates the federal law prohibiting lead paint on children's toys. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled Robbie Ducky™ Kids Watering Can is yellow with an orange beak and is about 10 inches high by 6 inches wide. "Robbie Ducky™ Garden Collection Duck Watering Can" is printed on a sticker on the bottom of the watering can.
Sold exclusively at: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores nationwide from February 2007 through August 2007 for about $10.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the watering can away from children and return it to any Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Jo-Ann Stores Inc. toll-free at (888) 739-4120 ext. 7 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email the firm at guest.services@jo-annstores.com or visit the firm’s Web site at www.joann.com
