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Anatomy of modern car technology

Sympatico Auto -- Modern car tech is amazing: it lets you see in the dark, and see around blind corners, and stop you from crashing into things. But, don't forget that this technology necessitates a miniature mountain of computer power and wiring, every piece adding weight, size and bulk to modern automobiles. As cars get increasingly complex they become more like consumer electronics, with built-in lifecycles. Make sure you know what you're getting.

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Submitted May 06, 2012 By: Hamish

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335d1 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,371 Points:757,845 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 6:32:35 AM Ignore 335d1 Report Abuse Let's stick to driving. I don't want to see a BSOD on my heads up display.
MetroSexual Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:3,004 Points:316,380 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 12:52:33 AM Ignore MetroSexual Report Abuse One burst from an EMP gun and that system is toast!
JamesCalvin Champion Author Lancaster Posts:3,181 Points:517,730 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: May 7, 2012 12:13:58 AM Ignore JamesCalvin Report Abuse Why not. Airplanes fly without pilots! Ever heard of drones?
mwc407 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:1,095 Points:556,735 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 11:10:22 PM Ignore mwc407 Report Abuse How long before Norton comes out with an anti-virus software for your car??
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:7,480 Points:1,555,800 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 8:37:16 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Although the technology is great, it can mean some vehicles getting junked because the electronics no longer function properly.
lou30 Sophomore Author Miami Posts:187 Points:320,315 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 5:33:24 PM Ignore lou30 Report Abuse All the possibilities of failure are the reason I'm looking for a new vehicle with the least possible 'automatic' anything.
HorizonChaser Champion Author Montgomery Posts:1,978 Points:454,835 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 3:59:52 PM Ignore HorizonChaser Report Abuse Better technology is not always a blessing.
schatzila Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,939 Points:1,014,670 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 3:57:00 PM Ignore schatzila Report Abuse I'm not clicking through 10 pages to see the list.
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,483 Points:732,350 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 2:25:35 PM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Can you still drive them when you get a blue screen of death.
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,545 Points:747,070 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 1:29:16 PM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse People already don't know how to drive, now relying on technology more makes them even worse drivers.
vrossi46 Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,667 Points:803,945 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 1:16:20 PM Ignore vrossi46 Report Abuse unfortunately technology can't do anything about bad drivers with bad attitudes.
Skunk63 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,556 Points:557,500 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 12:20:47 PM Ignore Skunk63 Report Abuse More isn't always better.
Suzzoom Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,358 Points:504,190 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 12:12:12 PM Ignore Suzzoom Report Abuse So now we can drive even more stupidly than when we actually had to pay attention, drive carefully & be courteous?
vjs3 Champion Author Denver Posts:2,531 Points:648,715 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 12:02:44 PM Ignore vjs3 Report Abuse Nice to have, but keep in mind that they are parts and do require maintenance/replacement. Don't completely rely on them, use them as confirmation to what you have already recognized/anticipated.
OTISFL Champion Author Pensacola Posts:4,605 Points:864,840 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 11:50:04 AM Ignore OTISFL Report Abuse IF people would use COMMON SENSE they wouldn't need all the gadgets.
200porter Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,055 Points:540,935 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 11:19:21 AM Ignore 200porter Report Abuse Some of these are just nice to have but not necessary
mitchells Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,856 Points:1,124,135 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 11:07:11 AM Ignore mitchells Report Abuse Here's some of my safety items which should be mandatory for all cars, since people are becoming idiots behind the wheel and can't think for themselves - Daytime running lights, use the turn signals or some other lights (like the older Caravans), but not the dimmed high-beams, because people just drive around thinking their headlights are on, but they can't see the road - Automatically turn on ALL lights at night time (goes back to above, making sure headlights are on) - Automatically turn lights on when wipers in use. Can't believe how many people on highway in the daytime in a heavy rain, with all the spray being kicked up, who don't turn on their lights, and you can't see them in front of you. They don't turn them on, because they think it's daytime, I don't need them. Until they're rear-ended. - Instrument lights shouldn't come on unless headlights are on. The main problems above, are because when people start their cars, their instrument panels light up, and they think that means their outside lights are on. (basically, all these new rules are because drivers are idiots and oblivious to what is happening around them, so we have to make the cars more stupid-proof)
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:15,728 Points:3,107,110 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:58:00 AM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse Some interesting points, like lowering hi-beams for oncoming traffic seems more useful than some tech. - like linking to Facebook!! Did not know infrared was even on the mkt, let alone out in 2000!!! Also, fwd camera to detect cars that can't be seen at corners makes lot more sense than multiple cameras at back so you don't need to check your mirrors or turn your head. As for bkup brakes for self driving cars asked below - yes its covered...its called air bags!!
mastermariner Champion Author Texas Posts:4,247 Points:493,010 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:55:07 AM Ignore mastermariner Report Abuse Good
Ltdc Champion Author Long Island Posts:7,210 Points:1,676,895 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:47:15 AM Ignore Ltdc Report Abuse It allows companies to charge more.
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,732 Points:638,320 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:46:48 AM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse ok
APlus Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,913 Points:990,470 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:45:27 AM Ignore APlus Report Abuse Hmm??...
ziyulu Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:8,490 Points:1,601,395 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:36:39 AM Ignore ziyulu Report Abuse For self driving cars, there has to be an emergency brake somewhere, right?
derKraut Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,094 Points:1,226,805 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:34:06 AM Ignore derKraut Report Abuse Probably good to have until it breaks = $$$$$.
TerrySawchuk All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:850 Points:305,395 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:25:01 AM Ignore TerrySawchuk Report Abuse Interesting.
buckets42 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,690 Points:329,550 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:14:31 AM Ignore buckets42 Report Abuse Bells and whistles.
kag2010 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:5,249 Points:1,018,785 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:11:12 AM Ignore kag2010 Report Abuse ok.
fowlcan Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,105 Points:683,090 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 10:05:34 AM Ignore fowlcan Report Abuse All disguised to be a smartphone with a motor and wheels. Say goodbye to the home mechanic unless they are up on the saddle of electronic principals.
Ouch06 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,611 Points:1,430,440 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 9:56:27 AM Ignore Ouch06 Report Abuse ok
bandannaman Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,849 Points:365,610 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 9:54:37 AM Ignore bandannaman Report Abuse Can't wait til they add these features to bicycles.
Evilmaddog Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,317 Points:956,575 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 9:36:36 AM Ignore Evilmaddog Report Abuse ok
dave27johnson Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,787 Points:407,450 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 9:35:27 AM Ignore dave27johnson Report Abuse A good overview of technology.
imcheep Champion Author New Mexico Posts:2,482 Points:647,880 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 9:17:19 AM Ignore imcheep Report Abuse Great, maybe?
Gas_Eyes Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,672 Points:643,885 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 9:16:23 AM Ignore Gas_Eyes Report Abuse To have a car automatically parallel park, seems like an expensive gadget.
mike1881 Champion Author Fayetteville Posts:1,290 Points:563,450 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 6, 2012 9:01:39 AM Ignore mike1881 Report Abuse Technology is great, until it doesn't work.