Driverless cars just around the corner

by Greg Hack,  The Kansas City Star

America’s love affair with cars has been going on for more than a century. But if you’re one of those people who really hate driving, the future could belong to you.

Thanks to advances in sensors, GPS systems, electronic steering and computerized braking, cars have been developed that drive themselves. Researchers around the world — and in Kansas City — are working to make everyday use of driverless cars a reality. ……

Automotive systems have advanced to the point that current driverless projects include an Italy-to-China trek and a high-speed run up Pikes Peak — testing in extreme conditions to root out weaknesses and improve the systems’ reliability. Other research involves figuring out the best way to put the vehicles into widespread use. ….. •Self-parking systems. Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Toyota and Lexus offer models that will park themselves, according to Edmunds.com. BMW plans a 2011 model with the feature. •Adaptive cruise control. Besides keeping a steady speed, this system will slow a vehicle to keep a safe distance when coming up on a slower-moving car or truck. •Lane departure warning and prevention. A camera or radar recognizes lane stripes. When a driver starts to cross a line without activating a turn signal, the system gives a warning, such as making the steering wheel vibrate. If the vehicle drifts over a line, the system applies brakes on the opposite side of the drift to pull the car back over the line. •Blind spot warnings. Much like the lane departure system, this one “sees” when another vehicle is in your blind spot and activates a warning light. •Crash warnings. These systems tell you if your vehicle is approaching another too fast, and they can tighten seatbelts, heighten the brakes’ sensitivity and prepare the airbags for activation. •Stop-and-go driving. BMW offers “Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go,” which can stop a car in slow traffic and speed it up when the car in front of it starts moving again. Read more: Report

DCL: these control systems are event processing systems par excellence – but of course the manufacturers don’t call it that! Next generation systems will use CEP.

Currently available technology:

•Self-parking systems. Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Toyota and Lexus offer models that will park themselves, according to Edmunds.com. BMW plans a 2011 model with the feature.

•Adaptive cruise control. Besides keeping a steady speed, this system will slow a vehicle to keep a safe distance when coming up on a slower-moving car or truck.

•Lane departure warning and prevention. A camera or radar recognizes lane stripes. When a driver starts to cross a line without activating a turn signal, the system gives a warning, such as making the steering wheel vibrate. If the vehicle drifts over a line, the system applies brakes on the opposite side of the drift to pull the car back over the line.

•Blind spot warnings. Much like the lane departure system, this one “sees” when another vehicle is in your blind spot and activates a warning light.

•Crash warnings. These systems tell you if your vehicle is approaching another too fast, and they can tighten seatbelts, heighten the brakes’ sensitivity and prepare the airbags for activation.

•Stop-and-go driving. BMW offers “Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go,” which can stop a car in slow traffic and speed it up when the car in front of it starts moving again.