driverless car

Slowly but surely, the automated future that industrialization and science fiction have long promised is creeping up on us. And if reality is to be believed, automation might actually run us over (or shoot us) if we're not looking.

The BBC reports that an English town called Daventry is testing out a driverless car, controlled by a computer that -- drumroll please -- uses lasers to avoid obstacles. Essentially, they're just robotic cabs -- the cars are called by pressing a button along the route, and go directly to their destination.

The testing is part of Daventry's investigation into new ways to increase the use of public transport and reduce reliance on cars.

Running until October 5th, the demonstration is actually in effect for commuters looking to get from A to B within the town. The Cybercars are designed for short trips at low speed in an urban environment, and need only a very light track to operate -- think of them as a cross between a car, a trolley, and a golf cart.

As weird as it sounds, it's this sort of forward thinking that is going to bring us out of our current automotive stone age, since it could potentially reduce the amount of vehicles on the road (not to mention serve as a designated driver when party goers have had too much to drink). Daventry District Council leader Chris Millar said all: "We can build lots more car parks and have lots more cars going in or we can look at a viable alternative to the car. We believe this could be the answer."

Let's just hope the residents of Daventry are stocking up on laser-proof vests, lest one of these babies accidentally shoots a pedestrian/obstacle.

From the BBC

iPOD CAR RADIOS

Many stereos now feature an "intelligent" or "full-speed" iPod connection, which transfers information from the iPod to the stereo's display and gives the driver full search and playback control via the stereo's faceplate buttons. The challenge for these stereos is to present the driver with a user-friendly means of navigating iPod menus on the move. Smaller systems have less real estate to play with, but some manage to do a good job of giving drivers control of their digital audio libraries. Sony's CDX-GT610UI and JVC's KD HDR1 enable drivers to stream songs according to artist, album or playlist, while Alpine's iDA-X001 was designed with input from Apple and enables drivers to view album art on its LCD.

Among the larger systems, the Pioneer Avic-D3 and the Clarion MAX675VD both provide user-friendly touch-screen interfaces that display a virtual version of the iPod wheel. The Alpine IVA-W200 presents drivers with an equally intuitive means of navigating their iPod song collections. Check out the full reviews of these iPod-friendly systems below.

iPod Car Stereos

1. Sony CDX-GT610UI

The good: The Sony CDX-GT610UI car stereo offers lots of support for external digital audio sources, a good range of sound adjustment options, and a very intuitive user interface.

The bad: Its lack of an “On” button is puzzling.

The bottom line: The Sony CDX-GT610UI car stereo is a cost-effective and user-friendly option for digital audiophiles. Its USB and iPod compatibility set it apart from much of the competition. Check Prices

2. JVC KD HDR1

The good: The JVC KD HDR1 car stereo's built-in HD tuner and its wealth of playback options set it apart from the competition in the sub-$200 price range.

The bad: The limited number of characters on its display means that ID3 tags and HD radio channel information can be tough to read at times.

The bottom line: The JVC KD HDR1 in-car stereo delivers HD Radio and most other digital audio playback options for a very competitive price. Check Prices

3. Alpine iDA-X001

The good: The Alpine iDA-X001 is an innovative in-car device for those who want to take their iPod on the road. Its digital USB connection enables playback of compressed and lossless files, while its well-designed menu system is intuitive and easy to understand.

The bad: For a system that claims to deliver "the best in-vehicle iPod experience ever," we found the iDA-X001's jog wheel to be slower and less effective at navigating digital audio libraries than we would have liked.

The bottom line: The made-for-iPod Alpine iDA-X001 is a useful interface for bringing a digital music library on the road. We like its stylish design and breadth of functions, although its user interface falls short of that of the iPod itself. Check Prices

4. Pioneer Avic-D3

The good: The Pioneer Avic-D3 combines a user-friendly navigation programming interface with real-time traffic capability and a range of media options, including a standard iPod connector.

The bad: The system's single-disc slot means that users will constantly have to switch between navigation discs and media sources to make the most of its many features.

The bottom line: The impressively equipped Pioneer Avic-D3 offers an array of advanced navigation and media playback functions, but the system's poor hardware design limits its usability. Check Prices

5. Clarion MAX675VD

The good: The Clarion MAX675VD is an elegant and feature-packed in-car multimedia system with a range of useful and intuitive media playback features, including one of the best iPod interfaces we've seen.

The bad: A couple of minor design flaws, such as the positioning of hard buttons on the far side of the driver and an incomplete source menu, are our only gripes.

The bottom line: The Clarion MAX675VD was designed with digital-age drivers in mind. Its breadth of features and excellent functionality make it one of our favorite all-in-one in-car multimedia systems to date. Check Prices

6. Alpine IVA-W200 multimedia player

The good: The Alpine IVA-W200 supports a range of multimedia inputs including most disc-based media, iPod, Bluetooth audio, and satellite and HD radio. It offers an impressive array of video customization options while providing a generally intuitive interface for navigating digital audio.

The bad: Despite the necessity for two clunky external modules, Bluetooth hands-free calling is effectively limited to incoming calls. Video quality can be grainy, and one glitch in the music-search functionality can lead to frustration.

The bottom line: The Alpine IVA-W200 is a stylish, all-in-one in-car multimedia unit with some impressive audio and video compatibility and control options. However, DVD picture quality is not great, and the external Bluetooth module is more trouble than it's worth. Check Prices

Return to a cool car on those 100 degree days!!!!

A buddy of mine has this and they work pretty good!!!!
You'll never have to return to an oven-hot car interior again. Our solar powered automobile ventilator will cool your car down on the hottest days. Even on an 85 degree summer day a car sitting in intense direct sunlight for just a few hours can heat up to a scorching 160 degrees. You park on the hot asphalt parking lot; and after only two hours soaking up the suns rays, our cars become virtual ovens. You open the car door and nearly suffocate. Most people don't realize the health risks involved when entering a sweltering automobile. Everything you touch burns like a hot plate. And nothing is more frightening than putting young kids on fiery hot seats.
And let's not forget how much the heat damages your interior. CDs, laptops or PDAs fry or melt. With the Auto Vent II, you'll save yourself from the furnace. It cools your car down while you're away by sucking out the stale hot air and re-circulating cooler air from outside. It also means your air conditioning takes less time to cool down the interior, especially in SUVs. Save yourself and your car from the sweltering heat with the Auto Vent II.

ScanGauge II Automotive Computer

ScanGauge II Automotive Computer. This gadget is easy to install and provides a set of digital gauges, a comprehensive trip computer, and an engine trouble code scan tool.

The digital gauges mode displays four different properties on the screen (for example, fuel economy, battery voltage, coolant temperature, and engine speed). The trip computer tracks your vehicle's maximum speed, average speed, driving time, driving distance, trip fuel economy and several other pieces of trip data. The engine trouble code scan tool lets you read standard engine trouble codes as well as clear the "check engine" light and other warning lamps.

The ScanGauge II is simple to use and install and mounts in, on or below the dash. It plugs into the diagnostic OBD-II connector found under the dash on 1996 and newer cars and light trucks. The functions are accessed via simple on-screen menu interface. There is an automatic delayed power-down after engine shutoff and automatic power-up when engine is started. User and vehicle settings are automatically saved.

Also has these features.

* Reads engine trouble codes and can reset the "check engine" light
* Trip computer that automatically tracks various elements of trip data
* Expanded digital gauges (fuel economy, battery voltage, coolant temp., etc.)
* No tools needed to install - plugs into the OBD-II diagnostic connector
* Simple menu driven operation
* User-settable backlight color and brightness - 126 possible color/brightness settings
* Batteries not required
* Dimensions: 4.8"W x 1.5"H x 1"D
* Connector cord length: 6 feet
* User adjustable contrast and update rate (slow, normal and fast)
* ScanGauge II compatibility list
* Big display - 50% larger than the original ScanGauge
* Cable detachable - can be connected on the back or side - RJ45 connection
* One year manufacturer warranty

MORE INFO

Wax once every 3 years!!! 5 Star Shine Car Wax

“The most critical step you can take to maintain your finish is frequent washing,” says Glenn Canady, president of 5 Star Technologies, a company that makes vehicle maintenance products. “Keeping your exterior consistently clean will lessen the impact of damaging dirt and chemicals that build up on your car’s surface.”

A lot of people think the next step would be to wax their car as often as possible, but Canady says that’s not the case. “You can actually be doing more harm than good by putting on a coat of inexpensive Carnauba wax once every week or two. When it melts, it gets sticky, and instead of keeping your car clean will actually attract dirt and pollutants. Look for a polish that is designed to protect the paint instead.”

Canady recommends 5 Star Shine, a polish that uses PTFE (the same substance that makes nonstick cookware so slippery) and durable acrylic elements to create a chemical fusion that seals paint from the elements. The bond is strong enough to hold up to hundreds of washings and only needs to be applied once every three years for a used car, and once every five years for a new one.