Inventions. What would you include?

Hypothetical polls can go hither and thither to be sure, but they are never boring.

Lets assume that you are an engineer hired to design a new automobile. You are required to include one new and revolutionary concept, either never used before, or never used effectively.

What would you add?

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

I voted for "A drivers seat that negates cell phone use from that location."

I know someone who was hit by a driver who was talking on her mobile phone at the time. Fortunately he escaped serious injury but there are many others who aren't so lucky.

Despite all sorts of advertising campaigns and laws there are still cretins driving around using mobile phones.

I remember once standing at a road crossing seeing some idiot driving a large HGV truck with a mobile phone in each hand, phones to either ear, talking in both at the same time. He was probably steering with his knees. Unbelievable stupidity.

If someone's driving a 500lb+ object at speed merely feet away from where I'm walking on the sidewalk, I sure as hell want them to be giving it their undivided attention, and not asking the wife "what's for dinner."

Unfortunately, there will always be idiots on the roads. As the saying goes, when something is idiot-proof, they just go and invent a better idiot. A phone-proof, or booze-proof car will help, but not cure the problem. I think the only way is to have stricter regulations on licensing. Not everyone is capable of driving a car safely, despite popular opinion.

If I were hired by a company to design a car, I'd probably go for fuel efficiency (improved engine design). This will become more and more important in years to come. All other suggestions are good ideas, but I dont feel it is the responsibility of car manufacturers to police these matters.

---

"If you talk at all during this lesson, you have detention. Do you understand?"

• My yr11 Economics teacher

wil5on said:
If I were hired by a company to design a car, I'd probably go for fuel efficiency (improved engine design). This will become more and more important in years to come. All other suggestions are good ideas, but I dont feel it is the responsibility of car manufacturers to police these matters.

From time to time this discussion comes up where I live and/or drive.

If accountability were also more strictly enforced, less mishaps would/might happen.

For instance: Some people live on their phones. The gab on them so long the battery actually gives out and requires them to recharge it during a conversation.

My question to you. Why does a recharger cord need to be long enough to reach the driver's ear? Most, if not all charger ports are at/on or near the cars console and should not need to be but 6 inches or so to satisfactorily recharge any phone.

If the cord manufacturer were held accountable for accidents that occur and its proven that the cord was in use at the time, perhaps they would not make them so long thereby removing that opportunity for an accident?

Make you think... Or makes me think you should think about it. :wink:

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

I went for improved engine design, not for better fuel efficiency, but to make it compatible with alternative fuel sources. There are cars that run on soy bean oil that go blazingly fast and are insanely cheap. I'd just have to avoid oil industrys blowing up my house.

I also vote engine design. I am strongly in favor of all the suggestions I made, but feel that those are accessories. Engine design is a necessity.

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

But what if a passenger wants to gab all day? Its doubtful the cord manufacturer could be held accountable, when its the drivers fault for gabbing while driving.

---

"If you talk at all during this lesson, you have detention. Do you understand?"

• My yr11 Economics teacher

Odd that all but one of those "improvements" are actually crippleware that hinder operation of the vehicle.

Who would buy a car that limits your maximum speed in inclement weather? What if it's raining and you need to accelerate fast to get out of a dangerous driving situation? (for example while passing someone I sure as hell dont want the engine to cut out!)

What if it is raining during the day (when your headlights should be off) and you want to use the windshield wipers? (What do headlights and windshield wipers have to do with each other anyways?)

What if you really need to use a phone while driving and there is no place to pull over? Maybe you need to make an emergency 911 call on a windy road with no shoulder. Or perhaps you are being followed by people who want to kill/kidnap/steal from you and so you need to get help without stopping.

stupid. stupid. stupid. I'm all for technology that helps keep people safe, but the technology should never override the judgement of the human driver, because the technology cannot be programmed to adapt to all possible driving situations.

---

http://maze5.net

I agree with Mazemaster, it's like "helper programs", they're the main reason I'm running Windows 2000.

I voted for the improved engine, specifically, an electric engine with more power and torque, because once public officials get their heads out of their asses and adopt nuclear power on a larger scale, electricity will be practically free, or a public service.

The problem with breathalizers is that they can't adapt to everyone's body chemistry. I myself have a high tolerance for alcohol, so after two beers I can still drive well (and I'm not just saying that). But two beers would probably be enough to trigger the breathalizer, and leave me stranded, because safety measures are always built for the lowest common denominator.

The problem with the windshield wipers thing is when there's a light drizzle, and I have to turn on my headlights just to turn on my wipers, causing some newbie driver in front of me to get confused and obstruct the flow of traffic, blah blah blah, accident.

The cell phone and weather detection have been covered.

---

Also change the texture of the dock. Docks are rarely tile. -Facepunch
As I Lay Dying

Some sort of anti-drunk system would be stellar. The police (or at least the Baltimore City Police) would hate it, though.

---

Breaking the laws of mapping since 2003 and doing a damn fine job at it

Let me attempt to break this down:

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting mazemaster</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>Odd that all but one of those "improvements" are actually crippleware that hinder operation of the vehicle.

Who would buy a car that limits your maximum speed in inclement weather? What if it's raining and you need to accelerate fast to get out of a dangerous driving situation? (for example while passing someone I sure as hell dont want the engine to cut out!)

Obviously, you haven't taken any defensive driving courses. It is the rapid acceleration and/or sudden increase of speed that causes most, if not all accidents in the rain. Speed kills during bad weather as a direct result of the driver not caring that its bad weather and drives as if its normal weather.

What if it is raining during the day (when your headlights should be off) and you want to use the windshield wipers? (What do headlights and windshield wipers have to do with each other anyways?)

Its been a law for nearly 2 decades Nation wide that the headlights of your vehicle will be on if you need your wipers for rain/snow/precipitation. People have been ignoring this law for ages, mainly because the law is ill enforced. Ask yourself, "Why would a cop get out in the pouring rain to write you a ticket thats has so little a fine?"

What if you really need to use a phone while driving and there is no place to pull over? Maybe you need to make an emergency 911 call on a windy road with no shoulder. Or perhaps you are being followed by people who want to kill/kidnap/steal from you and so you need to get help without stopping.

If this were genuinely the case, then its imperative that the drive be pulled over. An actual emergency is not one you need carry on a conversation about while driving. I am nearly positive that the phone would be functional in that situation because it would be obvious to the computer that the car was in PARK and the speedometer was setting on ZERO. If such a technology were possible to limit the phones use from the drivers seat, surely they could add that tiny inclusion.

stupid. stupid. stupid. I'm all for technology that helps keep people safe, but the technology should never override the judgement of the human driver, because the technology cannot be programmed to adapt to all possible driving situations.

Sadly, since the invention of the car, the driver also cannot adapt to every situation either. So whats your point? They have had auto dimming switches for decades to automatically dim the lights for morons to inept to do it themselves. They have had lights and dials to tell you that your engine is over-heating, yet the dumb ass still boil their cars over. There are gauges to tell you when the gas is low, but still the dumb s**t runs out of gas.

Tell me again, what was your point exactly?

</DIV></DIV>

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

I think that the speed kills thing is subjective. Although usually you
step on the clutch when you lose handling, experienced drivers can use
throttle to get the car back under control.

From this list I'd go for engine improvements. Better torque and
horsepower for smaller amount of fuel and support for alternative
fuels. Those of you who have driven both diesel and bensin cars know
that diesel engine is much more comfortable to drive within city limits
as you get more torque on the lower rpm and thus you don't have to
throttle so much.

---

''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

Obviously, you haven't taken any defensive driving courses. It is the rapid acceleration and/or sudden increase of speed that causes most, if not all accidents in the rain. Speed kills during bad weather as a direct result of the driver not caring that its bad weather and drives as if its normal weather.

I have taken a defensive driving course, and it is true that they say that you should go slower in bad weather. However, this does not apply to all situations. I have been in situations where I had to step on the gas to avoid being hit.

For example, one time I was in the leftmost lane on the freeway with no shoulder. Another car was on my right and slightly behind me. All of a sudden the moron swerves into my lane. The only thing I could do make noise with the horn and accelerate to get out of the way.

Its been a law for nearly 2 decades Nation wide that the headlights of your vehicle will be on if you need your wipers for rain/snow/precipitation. People have been ignoring this law for ages, mainly because the law is ill enforced. Ask yourself, "Why would a cop get out in the pouring rain to write you a ticket thats has so little a fine?"

Well thats a bad law for a place like seattle where it is a light drizzle most days, even when it is a bright day out. I've never heard of anyone getting into an accident because it was raining and they didn't have their headlights on. If you have statistics that show otherwise then please link to them.

If this were genuinely the case, then its imperative that the drive be pulled over. An actual emergency is not one you need carry on a conversation about while driving. I am nearly positive that the phone would be functional in that situation because it would be obvious to the computer that the car was in PARK and the speedometer was setting on ZERO. If such a technology were possible to limit the phones use from the drivers seat, surely they could add that tiny inclusion.

If someone is following you with bad intentions for you, then it is most certainly NOT a good idea to pull over.

Sadly, since the invention of the car, the driver also cannot adapt to every situation either. So whats your point? They have had auto dimming switches for decades to automatically dim the lights for morons to inept to do it themselves. They have had lights and dials to tell you that your engine is over-heating, yet the dumb ass still boil their cars over. There are gauges to tell you when the gas is low, but still the dumb s**t runs out of gas.

The lights and gagues you mention do not override the drivers judgement, they simply give him/her information. As for the auto dimmer switch, they have an override switch for that.

---

http://maze5.net

they already have breathalysers that are in cars of known alcoholic.

---

I tried sniffing coke, but the ice cubes kept getting stuck in my nose.
http://www.dimebowl.com

Nick, I am not going to suggest that I have more experience. I really do not know if it even qualifies in this case. I know I drive more than you do but I also drive more than A.J. Foyt and I'd never assume that I can whip him in a contest.

There are things though that go beyond opinion...

1) A defensive driving course would NEVER suggest that you speed up to avoid any kind of a possible collision during inclement weather. They teach you "controlled breaking" is the only sure way to avoid any incident. There may be times where you get lucky but its never a rule to speed up.

2) There is absolutely no case where having your headlights on is unsafe. I cannot imagine any time where you couldn't have them on. I could stretch my humor muscle and say it would be unsafe if you had them on if someone with a gun pointed at you said "turn them off or die" But... thats hardly appropriate. :heee:

3) If you were being chased and it was most assuredly not a good idea to pull over, you most definitely would NOT need the added distraction of a phone conversation to 911.

4) none of the suggestions over rule anyones judgment if you consider that no one should be doing the things that they would be designed to prevent? There is after all, no right way to do a wrong thing. :biggrin:

---

The best things in life, aren't things.

Where is "all of the above"

<span style="color: lightblue;">or even a device that shocks you if you dont signal for a lane change.

<br style="color: white;">
edit:<br style="color: white;">
I generally think driving will never be
safe until they take out the "human" element in driving (although
computers do make mistakes from time to time)<br style="color: white;">

</span>

---

Posting And You

I'd vote breathalizer, would have helped me a lot to convince people that they're too drunk to hold a steering wheel.

The new engine design sounds like a reasonable idea but I heared German car manufacturers are in a crisis because they try to re-invent the wheel (well, the engine) with every new car spending millions on research while the Japanese just bring an older technology to perfection for half the price and with a more stable result. Unfair but true.

Well VAG did quite good job with that 170hp 1.4 liter engine. 5.7
Litres for 100km if I recall correctly. Quite well for a gas engine.
Also hybrid engined cars start looking promising, although here in
Finland they cost hell of a lot since goverment gives double taxes for
them having two engines(electric and combustion), which is of course
f**king stupid. Goverments are just that at times... f**king stupid.

---

''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

Aye, but don't you have to actually drive a hybrid for about 4+ years for you to actually get your money back on the car? (That's a manner of speaking.) It would probably take another 4 years or so just to "get back" the money you spent on gas. Something along those lines.

That being said -- my family drives cars until they literally fall apart, so we might be the ones drving a hybrid in the future :wink:

I feel that hybrids are a good idea -- but they need to be a bit more eletricity efficient (get farther on less electricity) and have a little more power. I'm under the impression that they can't go up a small hill on electricity, but I'm sure that they actually retain some power :smile:

---

Breaking the laws of mapping since 2003 and doing a damn fine job at it

An engine which is cheap and clean.

I wanted to vote for each of these, but I went with the anit-drunk driving invention.

Drinking + Driving is the stupidest thing I've ever done in my entire life. I'm so thankful I didn't kill anyone.

Also... when it rains, cars are less visible and turning the headlights on helps.

I was goign to put a new engine, but then thought to my self that we need more than a new engine; we need a whole new car design. Cars are one of teh most ineffiecent machines in the world. They need to be redesigned to make them more effiecent.

I chose the drunkness detector, because the majority of car accidents are from drunk driving. The cellphone thing is good, because (I dont know about USA and stuff) but in south africa I see hundreds of people talk on their cell.

Small nuclear device that detonates when:

a. The driver is in a SUV to bring kids to school
b. Diesel car in a neighboorhood used for shopping.
c. Wasting feul.
d. Not driving on alternate feul source when availible.

I leave my options open, so if someone find Napalm or Mustard gas a better idea then i'll go with it.

---

RUST Gamedesign
pepper design

The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee.

I can just imagine some idiot fumbling to try to get his wipers working.. and his death was caused by the lights not being on XP.

<div class="abouttext">Message submitted 1 minutes after original post:</b></div>
yeah i voted for the breathalyzer :biggrin:

---

.else /me ~kill you
www.arclan.net

1) A defensive driving course would NEVER suggest that you speed up to avoid any kind of a possible collision during inclement weather. They teach you "controlled breaking" is the only sure way to avoid any incident. There may be times where you get lucky but its never a rule to speed up.

Except when you're stopped at a red light on a motorcycle and the guy behind you loses their brakes... Then you open the throttle and go between the two lanes (or onto the shoulder if there's only one lane). You're defensive driving course never taught you that?

---

Better to be in denial than to be human.

Bill Gates understands binary: his company is number one, and his customers are all zeros.

Small nuclear device that detonates when:

b. Diesel car in a neighboorhood used for shopping.

I leave my options open, so if someone find Napalm or Mustard gas a better idea then i'll go with it.

What the f**k? What's so bad about diesel cars? The particle emissions
have gone hell of a lot down during the past years. Also they consume a
lot less fuel due to the fact that there's more pontential energy in
burning diesel than there's in gasoline. Besides diesel cars are more
easily modified into taking biological alternative fuels(like
biodiesel) than gasoline based cars.

---

''Everyone wades in s**t until they're competent enough to walk on it. Jesus style.''
Dystopia - Empires

More or less against those people that driver half a mile to the store with it and back scythe^_^

---

RUST Gamedesign
pepper design

The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee.

too much to read.

i'll just say i voted for the first. an engine that won't affect the environment in a bad way.