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Message no. 1
From: Dvixen <dvixen@********.COM>
Subject: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1998 21:38:46 -0700
Read in the newpaper today that a new vehicle for the '99 year is going to
have an infra-red display in it, with 5 times the distance viewable as
current, normal headlights. (The article claimed it was of the same tech as
the military use.)

Does anyone have any more information about this?

--
Dvixen - dvixen@********.com
Herkimer's Lair - http://coastnet.com/~dvixen
Message no. 2
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 10:15:12 -0600
Dvixen wrote:
/
/ Read in the newpaper today that a new vehicle for the '99 year is going to
/ have an infra-red display in it, with 5 times the distance viewable as
/ current, normal headlights. (The article claimed it was of the same tech as
/ the military use.)
/
/ Does anyone have any more information about this?

It's an option on a new model of cadillac (or similar car). I can't
remember which (cuz it was way out of my price range :)

The display is a heads up display on low on the windshield (it doesn't
obstruct normal vision, but you can see it easily). It's designed to
be used at night to allow the driver to see things like people
jogging/biking along the side of the road, animals crossing the road,
obstructions in the road (fallen trees, garbage, etc) and cars driving
without headlights.

The resolution is pretty good. And by the nature of infra-red, the
driver can "see" farther than he can with headlights, giving him plenty
of warning time. However, the display and information are not enough
to drive by safely. You still have to use your headlights to see the
road well.

-David
--
"Earn what you have been given."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 3
From: bryan.covington@****.COM
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 10:00:00 -0400
> It's an option on a new model of cadillac (or similar car). I can't
> remember which (cuz it was way out of my price range :)
>
Its a Caddy. The Sedan Deville. Cooshy land yacht. Car's
about 40k US$ now. Don't know what IR is gonna add. Try GM's web site.

http://www.cadillac.com/cgi-bin/nonprod.pl?pressrel/news+082098b

Here's one of a few press releases they have on their
site.

> The display is a heads up display on low on the windshield (it doesn't
> obstruct normal vision, but you can see it easily). It's designed to
> be used at night to allow the driver to see things like people
> jogging/biking along the side of the road, animals crossing the road,
> obstructions in the road (fallen trees, garbage, etc) and cars driving
> without headlights.
>
> The resolution is pretty good. And by the nature of infra-red, the
> driver can "see" farther than he can with headlights, giving him
> plenty
> of warning time. However, the display and information are not enough
> to drive by safely. You still have to use your headlights to see the
> road well.
>
> -David
> --
> "Earn what you have been given."
> --
> email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
> http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 4
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 13:32:49 -0400
At 10:15 AM 8/29/98 -0600, you wrote:

>/ Read in the newpaper today that a new vehicle for the '99 year is going to
>/ have an infra-red display in it, with 5 times the distance viewable as
>/ current, normal headlights. (The article claimed it was of the same tech as
>/ the military use.)
>/
>/ Does anyone have any more information about this?
>
>It's an option on a new model of cadillac (or similar car). I can't
>remember which (cuz it was way out of my price range :)

Correct, the 1999 Cadillac. Not sure which models however. I'm sure all
sort of nifty little info can be found on their web site.

>The display is a heads up display on low on the windshield (it doesn't
>obstruct normal vision, but you can see it easily). It's designed to
>be used at night to allow the driver to see things like people
>jogging/biking along the side of the road, animals crossing the road,
>obstructions in the road (fallen trees, garbage, etc) and cars driving
>without headlights.

At night or in any sort of situation in which vision is impaired, such as
rain or fog.

>The resolution is pretty good. And by the nature of infra-red, the
>driver can "see" farther than he can with headlights, giving him plenty
>of warning time. However, the display and information are not enough
>to drive by safely. You still have to use your headlights to see the
>road well.

Correct, it's not intended to be used exclusively, it's meant more as a
nearly subliminal thing. The HUD is fairly small within the field of view,
so trying to drive by it would be difficult. It's really more of an early
warning system than anything else.

I believe the range of the gadget is approximately five times that of the
headlights. Not totally sure however.

On a similar note, I believe it's BMW that will be installed radar in their
cars pretty soon that works in conjunction with cruise control; it
automatically modifies the speed to maintain a safe distance whilst behind
another vehicle. But only in cruise control mode.

Erik J.
Message no. 5
From: David Buehrer <dbuehrer@******.CARL.ORG>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 11:55:58 -0600
Erik Jameson wrote:
/
/ On a similar note, I believe it's BMW that will be installed radar in their
/ cars pretty soon that works in conjunction with cruise control; it
/ automatically modifies the speed to maintain a safe distance whilst behind
/ another vehicle. But only in cruise control mode.

Yep. Saw that one this morning.

And someone else is also working on a car with a joystick instead of a
steering wheel (hello drive-by-wire :) They want to do away with the
steering wheel to avoid the damage that steering wheels can cause to
the driver in a car wreck.

-David
--
"Earn what you have been given."
--
email: dbuehrer@******.carl.org
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1068/homepage.htm
Message no. 6
From: Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 17:30:22 -0400
At 11:55 AM 8/31/98 -0600, you wrote:

>And someone else is also working on a car with a joystick instead of a
>steering wheel (hello drive-by-wire :) They want to do away with the
>steering wheel to avoid the damage that steering wheels can cause to
>the driver in a car wreck.

You know, I think we saw the same news program; I caught it last night
(Sunday) on NBC's Nightly News (national broadcast). And that joystick
thing is just too cool; probably better control over the car and yes,
removing the steering column entirely would prevent many injuries.
Criminy, many people (myself included) drive primarily with one hand anyway.

I'm willing to bet you saw it on a local NBC affiliate this morning as part
of a taped package.

Erik J.


http://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/dungeon/480/index.html
The Reality Check for a Fictional World
Message no. 7
From: "Ubiratan P. Alberton" <ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 19:39:36 -0300
>
> On a similar note, I believe it's BMW that will be installed radar in their
> cars pretty soon that works in conjunction with cruise control; it
> automatically modifies the speed to maintain a safe distance whilst behind
> another vehicle. But only in cruise control mode.
>
> Erik J.


Sounds like an autonav system to me :) .

Bira
Message no. 8
From: Robert Watkins <robert.watkins@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 09:32:35 +1000
Bira writes:
> Erik writes:
> > On a similar note, I believe it's BMW that will be installed
> radar in their
> > cars pretty soon that works in conjunction with cruise control; it
> > automatically modifies the speed to maintain a safe distance
> whilst behind
> > another vehicle. But only in cruise control mode.
>
> Sounds like an autonav system to me :) .

Sorry, Bira... an autonav system would be tied into an _accurate_ GPS, or a
sophisticated inertial tracking system, and a computerised map as well, to
allow you to indicate a destination and have it drive you there. It would
incorporate an anti-collision device of some sort, but it would also be
more.

In SR terms, this would be, at best, AutoPilot 1. You'd still have to steer,
turn corners, and such by yourself... you just wouldn't have to worry about
hitting the accelerator.

--
Duct tape is like the Force: There's a Light side, a Dark side, and it
binds the Universe together.
Robert Watkins -- robert.watkins@******.com
Message no. 9
From: "Ubiratan P. Alberton" <ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 20:48:14 -0300
Robert Watkins wrote:
>
> Bira writes:
> > Erik writes:
> > > On a similar note, I believe it's BMW that will be installed
> > radar in their
> > > cars pretty soon that works in conjunction with cruise control; it
> > > automatically modifies the speed to maintain a safe distance
> > whilst behind
> > > another vehicle. But only in cruise control mode.
> >
> > Sounds like an autonav system to me :) .
>
> Sorry, Bira... an autonav system would be tied into an _accurate_ GPS, or a
> sophisticated inertial tracking system, and a computerised map as well, to
> allow you to indicate a destination and have it drive you there. It would
> incorporate an anti-collision device of some sort, but it would also be
> more.
>

The first description closely matches that of a Autonav Level 1 in
the Rigger 2
book. The one you described is more like a Level 3 or 4 one.

Bira
Message no. 10
From: Robert Watkins <robert.watkins@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 09:56:08 +1000
Bira writes:
> The first description closely matches that of a Autonav Level 1 in
> the Rigger 2
> book. The one you described is more like a Level 3 or 4 one.

An AutoPilot can replace the driver's skill. Therefore, it must be able to
do everything the driver can (albeit bloody poorly, for a Level 1). IMHO
(and going from the descs in Rigger 1...), all Autonav systems can do
position locating, linking to maps, and navigating through traffic. How well
they do it is dependant on the rating. Level 3 & 4 start to have
sophisticated AI systems, which allow them to do things like interrogate the
traffic controllers to identify if a road is blocked off for roadworks, or
simply jammed in a gridlock, and to handle unexpected events like a kid
running out in front of the car.

(Mind you, I neglected to mention that BMW also have a car _with_ a map
system, AND an autolocation system, and even the pathfinding equipment. It
just lacks the connection allowing the computer to drive for you, largely
due to the problems created by all the other non-computerised
idiots/drivers)

--
Duct tape is like the Force: There's a Light side, a Dark side, and it
binds the Universe together.
Robert Watkins -- robert.watkins@******.com
Message no. 11
From: "Ubiratan P. Alberton" <ubiratan@**.HOMESHOPPING.COM.BR>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 21:31:14 -0300
Robert Watkins wrote:
>
> Bira writes:
> > The first description closely matches that of a Autonav Level 1 in
> > the Rigger 2
> > book. The one you described is more like a Level 3 or 4 one.
>
> An AutoPilot can replace the driver's skill. Therefore, it must be able to
> do everything the driver can (albeit bloody poorly, for a Level 1). IMHO
> (and going from the descs in Rigger 1...), all Autonav systems can do
> position locating, linking to maps, and navigating through traffic. How well
> they do it is dependant on the rating. Level 3 & 4 start to have
> sophisticated AI systems, which allow them to do things like interrogate the
> traffic controllers to identify if a road is blocked off for roadworks, or
> simply jammed in a gridlock, and to handle unexpected events like a kid
> running out in front of the car.


They changed that in Rigger 2, the Autonav (new name for an
autopilot)
Level 1 is just a fancy colision detection/avoidance system, to wich
you can give simple instructions, Level 3 is a pretty good
top-of-the-line
system wich can accept map chips. Level 4 os for rich people only and
Level 5 is security level, IIRC. They increase your skill in normal
driving, and screw you handling during combat. And now an Autonav
ties into sensors (at least a radar, a Level 1 Sensors), and that's why
I said it was similar.

Bira
Message no. 12
From: David Foster <fixer@*******.TLH.FL.US>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 08:53:13 -0400
On Mon, 31 Aug 1998, Ubiratan P. Alberton wrote:

->>
->> On a similar note, I believe it's BMW that will be installed radar in their
->> cars pretty soon that works in conjunction with cruise control; it
->> automatically modifies the speed to maintain a safe distance whilst behind
->> another vehicle. But only in cruise control mode.
->>
->> Erik J.
->
-> Sounds like an autonav system to me :) .
->
-> Bira

Autonav 2, no less... since Autonav 1 doesn't change anything
about the vehicle (Rigger2). No speed changes or direction changes unless
I misread majorly. Guess Autonav 1 would be GPS w/ an automap or
something.

Fixer --------------} The easy I do before breakfast,
the difficult I do all day long,
the impossible only during the week,
and miracles performed on an as-needed basis....

Now tell me, what was your problem?
Message no. 13
From: "Droopy ." <mmanhardt@*****.NET>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 14:02:15 -0400
From: Robert Watkins <robert.watkins@******.COM>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.

> (Mind you, I neglected to mention that BMW also have a car _with_ a map
> system, AND an autolocation system, and even the pathfinding equipment. It
> just lacks the connection allowing the computer to drive for you, largely
> due to the problems created by all the other non-computerised
> idiots/drivers)

There is a project (its CMU and some japanese company working
on IIRC) that has a car drive itself. They embedded magnetic rods
into the road at measured intervals to allow the car to stay on the
road. The car has autonav and uses radar (as mentioned) to 'see'
its surroundings and not bump into other cars.

They have a running prototype or two. Saw a bit about it on TV.


--Droopy
Message no. 14
From: Adam Getchell <acgetchell@*******.EDU>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 23:10:47 -0700
>There is a project (its CMU and some japanese company working
>on IIRC) that has a car drive itself. They embedded magnetic rods
>into the road at measured intervals to allow the car to stay on the
>road. The car has autonav and uses radar (as mentioned) to 'see'
>its surroundings and not bump into other cars.
>
>They have a running prototype or two. Saw a bit about it on TV.

Tested it on I-15 down in San Diego. Had 7 cars drive bumper to bumper with
drivers holding hands out the window. The problems are now primarily
traffic management; smooth entrances, exits, etc. Actually, traffic
analysis is quite a bit like fluid mechanics but that's a long topic ...

>--Droopy

--Adam

acgetchell@*******.edu
"Invincibility is in oneself, vulnerability in the opponent." --Sun Tzu
Message no. 15
From: Mike Bobroff <Airwasp@***.COM>
Subject: Re: Question about new [RL] tech.
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 01:24:16 EDT
In a message dated 9/1/98 1:04:35 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
mmanhardt@*****.NET writes:

> There is a project (its CMU and some japanese company working
> on IIRC) that has a car drive itself. They embedded magnetic rods
> into the road at measured intervals to allow the car to stay on the
> road. The car has autonav and uses radar (as mentioned) to 'see'
> its surroundings and not bump into other cars.
>
> They have a running prototype or two. Saw a bit about it on TV.

The US Army has in development vehicles which can drive themselves, and can
react to their environments, and do not need to have the rods buried within
the ground. Saw a show on this about two years ago or so.

-Herc
------ The Best Mechanic you can ever have.

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