A tiny touchpad in the armrest or steering wheel of future vehicles could enable drivers to more easily communicate with a car's audio, radio, phone, or navigation system, thus reducing driver distraction.
Developed by TRW Automotive, the new touchpad employs capacitive sensors that allow drivers to use a finger to jot script onto a screen as small as an inch square. By writing a few letters on the screen, drivers could access the navigation system, a radio station, a certain song on an iPod, or numerous other in-car features. The key to the system is its ability to allow users to communicate with the vehicle without taking their eyes off the road.
Fixed in an armrest or steering wheel spoke, TRW's touch pad would enable drivers to communicate with the vehicle without taking their eyes off the road. (Source: TRW Automotive)
"When drivers are unable to input information in the correct way, they get distracted," Frank Koch, advanced engineering manager for TRW Body Control, told us. "What we've done is calculate the position and motion of your finger, and then translate that into numbers, letters, and words." The automotive supplier has accomplished that by creating a small screen that allows the driver to keep his or her arm fixed and merely move a thumb or finger to give a command. "You have to have your arm fixed and the touch pad must be near your finger," Koch said. "You could do that in an armrest or in the steering wheel, where your arm is fixed to the rim of the wheel."
Unlike the traditional capacitive screens employed in consumer electronics, TRW's system uses only a few sensors, rather than a capacitive array with as many as 20 devices per square centimeter. When a user touches the screen, it sends a signal to a microcontroller (MCU) with onboard software algorithms that recognize the change in capacitance and understand the script. A driver, for example, could write an "A" for audio, an "R" for radio, an "N" for navigation, or "CD" for the CD player, and the system could "know" which features to operate. A vehicle manufacturer could also set up the system so it recognizes nomadic devices, such as iPods and cellphones, Koch said.
I definitely agree, Nancy. I actually agree with NTSB, too. I would prefer to see a law that says you have to stow your phone while driving. People won't stop that behavior unless there's a more powerful motivation to do so.
I find touchpads easier, but it does require one hand and both eyes. Until we can keep one eye on the touchpad while keeping the other on the road, the touchpad will mean that the driver is looking away from the road. It only takes a couple seconds in inattention to get into trouble.
Voice Recognition software has come along way since it introduction in the late 80's early 90's. My 12 year old son was able to train the Dragon Speech software on my wife's Window 7 computer in less than 20 minutes. Now he's able to write his school papers by speaking instead of typing. If this software or something similar was used in vechicles as to a touchpad, then texting while driving would be less of a distraction. Also, operating infotainment systems in vehicles become hands-free like the Ford "Sync" technology because of voice recognition instead of interacting with a touchpad. Even with simple scripting commands on a touchpad provides a safety concern while driving because both hands and eyes are not on the road.
That is a good point about over-regulation, Charles - sounds silly, doesn't it? But if the horse spooks and I fly off, I am hurting myself - not other riders. I could even drink and ride without putting others at risk. Just wish people would use common sense...driving a vehicle at high speeds while distracted by any means could end in tragedy for more than just the driver.
I understand now why my parents always said "it's not like the good old days." Boy, do I feel old. My horse is my alternate means of transportation but that is purely recreational. It's funny though - I ride to get away from everything and while I am grateful I have my cell phone in my pocket in case of an emergency, the last thing I want to do is actually have to use the thing. I'll see riders going along with their wireless headset chatting away on a cell call. If there horse spooks they could land in the dirt - and some horses will spook when they hear a ringtone. I actually spent some time desensitizing my horse to a cell phone ringing. Technology distractions are dangerous even on horseback!
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