In the April 2, 2007 issue of Design News, I said that I mentioned that vehicle controllers will soon begin to take over the steering wheel in potential crash situations, and I think we'll all be better off for it. "As I look around at today's proliferation of distracted and aggressive drivers, not to mention those who seem to exist in altered states of consciousness, I'm struck by one thought," I wrote. "I'll take my chances with technology."
We asked readers to let us know whether they agreed, and a slim majority (21 out of 38) wrote us to say they didn’t. Below are a few of our reader responses.
–Chuck Murray
I loathe: ABS, automatic transmissions, over-compensated power steering, automatic 4-wheel steering, automatic 4 wheel drive, automatic traction control, automatic suspension, computer controlled anything………..( knock sensors and related engine control are ok).
I love; lots of gears, powerful progressive brakes- in fact lets get user controllable on-line front vs. back bias like motorcycles, user adjustable (on-the fly) suspension tuning (exists).
Phillip West
Idaho falls, ID
To answer your question "Would You Let Your Car Do the Steering," is a simple "Hell yes!" sufficient? Although I (and everyone else) are "better than average" drivers, we're getting worse as we get older. I DO pay attention when I drive but I'd rather not have to. Bring on the automation!
Richard Factor
Kinnelon NJ
When I read about a car that can turn the steering wheel, I think about the bug in the Audi cruise control software that would inadvertently floor the accelerator, and in one case, launch the car through the garage wall and into the pool. This was rare but it would only take once for the steering wheel to turn slightly to the left into the path of a semi to ruin your day.
John Zambito
Victor, NY
When I read your article "Would You Let Your Car Do the Steering?" I have to admit I was impressed from a purely technical perspective. The demonstration is fascinating to see, and clearly shows impressive technology at work.
We said the same thing when we first saw cell phones. We were also wowed by Blackberry, GPS, Wifi, and a whole list of other technical marvels. Here's what scares me: How much time goes by from the introduction of an item to the expectation that you have it? When cell phones first came out, they were grabbed up by people who wanted a competitive edge (and who could afford them). Within a comparatively short time, nearly everyone was expected to have one (or more), subjecting a harsh disadvantage onto anyone without a cell phone.
Similarly, anyone nowadays without a wireless laptop faces a tremendous disadvantage in the business world. Don't have GPS in your car? Watch the sale go to your competitor who does.
Fast forward ten years (or less??) from now. Collision avoidance technology is becoming more common on the higher end cars. What does that entitle - or worse, compel the driver to do? No longer required to devote full attention to the traffic around him, the driver is now able to concentrate on his business of the day. Maybe get to work on a detailed design, or prepare a slide show for the upcoming quarterly review? A short time later, such "freedom" will become expected. Most roadways will consist of people engrossed in their work who happen to be sitting in what was once known as the driver's seat. They have little choice; they can ill afford the luxury of spending time focusing on the road.
I don't mean to sound overly pessimistic. Technology has never worried me - as an engineer I thrive on it. However, this inevitable trend - of today's marvels becoming tomorrow's necessities - has to make us pause and contemplate what kind of world we're creating.
Mike Kagan
Marlboro, MA
As a car nut and inveterate reader of car magazines, I've for years heard the enthusiast viewpoint: "Make the driving test rigorous, raise the speed limits, let us use those high performance engines and suspensions."
This might work in Europe and Asia, but we in the US have locked our society into a non-village centric arrangement where in much of the country, you can't run your life without a car — getting to work, getting food, very basic functions.
And this in an aging society, where skill levels are falling. I know of people in this town (Corning NY) living in elderly housing and having no way of even getting to a food store for supplies. With very limited public transport, and facilities scattered over miles of complicated highway/ city street, these people must drive even though it is a nightmare for them in many cases. And a nightmare for those who must contend with them sharing the road.
I see no easy solution, save possibly those truly "smart" cars you write of.
JT Coyle
Painted Post, NY
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