CARS THAT KNOW WHERE THEY'RE GOING

The article describes new automobile electronic devices and navigation systems that will help drivers reach their destination faster, avoid traffic jams, and even find a parking space. Presently, on-board computer systems can control the engine, prevent the wheels from locking when braked, and adjust the suspenion when the car is carrying a heavy load or when the road is bad. The next major step will be the addition of navigation computers. Later generations of smart cars will integrate these systems with collision avoidance systems and automatic headway control. The use of proximity beacons and the Electronic Route Guidance System (ERGS) research by the U.S. government is described. Satellite approaches to automobile navigation, and General Motors and Chrysler research in this area are also discussed. Dead reckoning and map matching are described. Navigation systems near the market stage of development are reviewed and include Electro Multivision (Toyota); Etak Navigator used by General Motors; CARIN (developed in the Netherlands); ALI-SCOUT; and MAPIX-III. Government-industry cooperative programs will determine how fast these developments are available.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00163317
• Corporate Authors:

  World Future Society

  7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 450
  Bethesda, MD  United States  20814
• Authors:
  • FRENCH, R L
• Publication Date: 1989-5

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 30-36
• Serial:
  • The Futurist
  • Volume: 223
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: World Future Society
  • ISSN: 0016-3317

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial satellites; Automatic headway control; Control systems; Crash avoidance systems; Electronic equipment; Information processing; Intelligent vehicles; Navigation
• Old TRIS Terms: Electronic devices
• Subject Areas: Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00493868
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 30 1990 12:00AM