Lane Departure Warning – this technology uses a set of cameras to monitor the white and yellow lines on the road. When the vehicle crosses a line without the turn signal being activated the system informs the driver by sounding an audible alert. This helps keep sleepy or inattentive drivers from veering off from their lane. Other advanced lane departure warning systems can actually attempt to steer the vehicle back into the lane or apply the brakes slightly.

Read the rest of this entry »

Exciting innovations in automotive technology are introduced every year: from new safety features to the latest in in-car entertainment amenities. The model year 2009 presents an exciting array of new car technologies that aim to enhance how our automotive experience. Even with a crisis facing the automotive industry, the demand for new technologies that will enhance safety, entertainment, comfort and connectivity will has nowhere to go but up. Here’s a rundown of the top new car technologies for the 2009 model year.

Adaptive Cruise Control – also known as active or intelligent cruise control, ACC uses radar and/or laser sensors usually located behind the grille to determine the speed and distance of the vehicle in front. It maintains the vehicle’s pre-set speed and adjusts it accordingly to maintain the proper distance between vehicles in the same lane. For instance, if the vehicle in front slows down, the system sends a signal to the engine or braking system to decelerate. The system accelerates to the last speeds setting when it detects that the distance is safe again.

Read the rest of this entry »

BMW has unveiled a new car that can read speed limit signposts and variable limit signs and display this information on the instrument cluster. With this technology, drivers are always aware of the speed zone they are in and adjust their driving accordingly especially on roads that have several different speed zones depending on traffic flow.

A small camera installed near the interior mirror constantly monitors the signs along the road and compares this with data saved in the navigation system. The camera will be able to read painted metal signs as well as dynamic digital displays. The date recorded by the camera is given priority and the speed allowed is displayed through the instrument cluster or in the head-up display on the car’s windscreen. This will significantly reduce the risk of breaking the speed limit by mistake.

Still, the BMW Speed Limit Display is an information system only. It will not intervene in the control of the vehicle or its speed. Maintaining a correct and safe speed is still the sole responsibility of the driver. The new Speed Limit Display will be available in the new BMW 7 Series set to be unveiled in Europe later this year.

Source

There is a growing demand for PCs and Web Access on automobiles. Last September, a survey conducted by CNW Marketing Research revealed that 14% of prospective buyers under 30 years old would like to have in-car email and web access, a figure that double the number of people who said they wanted this feature back in 2004. Because of this demand, we will see more and more automobiles equipped with access to internet via an on-board PC.

Initially, these auto PCs will connect through regular cellular phone signals. However, the technology is expected to shift to WiMAX, a high-powered Wi-Fi that covers broadband access across urban areas. At present, Ford offers web access in its F-Series pickups through Fordlink, a $2,999 option. Meanwhile, KVH Industries features TracNet 100 system lets drivers view web pages on vehicle navigation and video screens. The TracNet 100 system equipment costs $2,000 while the monthly connection is $79.

BMW’s navigational system will start offering Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) at no additional cost on select 2007 BMW models including the X5, M5, M6, 3, 5, and 6 Series. Slated to be launched this September, the premium service will offer up-to-date traffic information for BMW drivers in 44 major metropolitan areas in the US. The system will also offer dynamic rerouting, the first of its kind on any production vehicle sold in the US. RTTI is the latest innovation from BMW highlighting the company’s commitment to offer industry-leading service, technology and innovation.

Now the navigational system is not anymore just an optional feature that is mostly used when customers get lost or need to find a way to their destination. The RTTI is an innovation that will help drivers reach their destinations more efficiently and easily than before. The RTTI will be available through Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network. Drivers won’t need to search for traffic information on radio stations. The BMW RTTI system gathers timely traffic information from different sources such as FM radio stations, highway-embedded sensors, video monitors on roadways and bridge ways and local traffic monitoring centers.

The information is then streamed to a dedicated tuner on the car’s radio. In dynamic rerouting, the navigation system calculates the best routes depending on the traffic conditions, incidents and other potential delays. If the delay will exceed 5 minutes, the system will provide alternative routes around the congestion.

The BMW RTTI will be part of the cost of the navigation system in selected 2007 BMW models and there are no activation fees and monthly recurring charges.

Luxury cars from Mercedes Benz just got safer with the new autonomous braking feature that aims to reduce crash severity. The PRE-SAFE brake system works by partially engaging the brakes when the Mercedes Benz vehicle approaches another vehicle. The system uses radar technology to detect the proximity of the vehicles to each other.

In the Benz 2207 S-Class, the vehicle also features cut lines to help rescue workers when cutting through air bag components. The PRE-SAFE brake system works together with the Mercedes Brake Assist PLUS or BAS PLUS system. It has been proven to reduce severity of accidents by about 40% when it was field tested with 500 drivers. The new S-Class and CL-Class coupe will feature the PRE-SAFE system as an option.

The automatic partial braking of the PRE-SAFE system is activated if the driver does not react to BAS warnings. The car decelerates up to 40% of maximum braking performance. Because the car is already decelerating, the severity of the accident is substantially reduced. In simulator tests of 70 drivers, 53% avoided accidents by responding to BAS PLUS. Seventeen percent reacted after PRE-SAFE was triggered but avoided accident; accident severity was significantly reduced for remaining drivers.

Lexus has always been very particular about the sound quality inside their vehicles: from the solid thump of a closing door to the low growl of a turning engine. The audio system is also one of the showcases of technological advancement in any Lexus automobile. The audio system in the new LS 460 offers a new dimension in audio experience. Lexus has teamed up with renowned hi-fi experts Mark Levinson to create the LS 460’s new Reference Sound Audio System, an enhancement of the original Premium Sound Audio System. The trademark quietness of the Lexus vehicle’s interior space is the perfect environment for the excellent sound reproduction of this audio system.

This new Mark Levinson audio system aims to provide the ultimate benchmark of in-car sound quality. This 15-channel amplifier and 450-watt speaker system is perfectly suited for the dimensions and acoustic properties of the LS460’s interior. The system uses an individual, all-digital signal path to each speaker or pair of woofers. The Reference Sound Audio System also uses sophisticated 7.1-channel speaker architecture which guarantees that everyone in the car can experience surround sound.

There’s also an Automatic Sound Leveling (ASL) feature which keeps the volume at a constant when on the move. All these features makes the Reference Sound Audio System one of the most sophisticated car audio systems today – perfect for one of the most luxurious and accomplished cars on the road, the Lexus LS460.

The 2006-2007 Toyota Yaris will offer a new, fully-electronic Drive by Wire, Custom Cruise Control System for both manual and automatic transmission. The new Rostra Yaris Cruise Control System offer standard features such as set speed, coast/reduce speed, resume/accelerate, controlled resume rate, and retention of last set speed. The system also includes other safety feature such as a disengage function when pressure is applied to the brake pedal. The system also allows the drivers to tap up and down to adjust speed in one-mile-per-hour increments and allows for closer and more accurate control of set speed.

In its latest New Car Ratings and Reviews 2006 edition, Consumer Reports highlighted the most important safety features and convenience amenities that new cars must have. These features make a big difference in the overall value and satisfaction new car buyers derive from their purchase. In fact, Consumer Reports advocate that new car buyers should rather choose to purchase new cars with the following attributes and features.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – ESC helps the driver hold control of his car especially when negotiating a turn. Cars with ESC have 30% fewer single-vehicle accidents compared to cars without it.

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) – ABS is very important in controlling the vehicle when under heavy braking. It also helps reduce stopping distance on slippery pavement.

Side and head protection air bags – doors and side panels absorb very little crash energy, leaving passengers very vulnerable in the event of side impact. Air bags provide protection by providing a cushion between the passengers and the vehicle’s structure.

Backup systems – a car’s blind zone can pose some safety problems. Back up systems typically detects any object, displays an image on a dashboard screen or alerts the driver of an impending collision.

Steering Wheel Controls – Now, you can adjust cruise control, audio, and climate control settings without taking your hands off the steering wheel or your eyes off of the road.

A report from Japan Today announced that new car navigation systems about to be unveiled this year will not only help drivers find their way but will also let people to watch their favorite sitcom or talk show, as well as get the latest news updates through high definition television broadcasts. These updated car navi systems comes at the heels of the launch of the new ‘One Segment Broadcasting’ Service or One Seg last April.

One Seg Is a broadcasting service meant for mobile phones and other devices including car navigation systems. Meanwhile, the latest version of the ‘Strada’ car navigation system from Matsushita Electric Industrial Co will be unveiled next month and will also feature a tuner for digital terrestrial broadcasting as standard equipment.

Sounds good, but only for the other passengers though. Not to be prudish, but anything that distracts driver’s eyes of the road can be quite dangerous.