Technology Changing the Way we Drive: In-Car Computer Systems

Are on-board computer systems helping the way people drive or distracting them from the road?

According to CNN.com, in-car computing is "technology's next frontier." Cellphones converging with the internet is so last year. The newest tech trend is the installation of computer technology into cars and trucks. Several motor vehicles have in-car computers, also known as carputers, installed in them. Hyundai launched a "system that warns motorists when they drift out of the lane they're traveling in" and another manufacturer developed software that uses heat-seeking cameras to alert drivers when a pedestrian is in their path. There are various safety features that carputers offer today, including GPS navigation, reverse sensors, tire pressure checkers, and hands-free communication devices. Well-known services, such as GM's OnStar and Ford's Sync, can also "reduce gas flow to a stolen vehicle or dial 911 if a car is involved in a crash" (Griggs).


However, many argue that these electronic carputers also bring a variety of distractions. The Sydney Morning Herald published an article stating that Hi-tech gadgets have caused several car accidents. Carputers allow people to surf the web, send and receive e-mail, use Skype or other VoIP services, record data, play mp3s, watch movies, and receive directions to your favorite restaurants (Welcome to In-CarPC).

Although the safety features are great, I don't think they'll prevent a driver from crashing if he's not looking at the road. Many states have banned drivers from simply talking on handheld phone devices. Surfing the internet is a lot more dangerous, don't you think?

Azentek, an automotive company specializing in on-board computer systems, promised that their in-car PC is not a distraction because it will "read out your e-mails and transcode your voice messages back into TXT or e-mail attachments for all those 'I'm running late in traffic' e-mails." Their hope is to keep drivers' hands off the screen and on the wheel (Long).

I think this is ridiculous because drivers should be focused on the road, not on writing e-mails. Why do people need to write e-mails while driving, when they'll probably be home or at the office in 15 minutes, where they can use a real computer? Azentek's statement is also stupid because they don't promise to keep people's eyes on the road. Not to mention, their carputer offers other distractions, like a DVD and mp3 player. They can't guarantee that drivers won't touch the carputer screen when their messing with their playlists.

Jayne O'Donnell, a writer for USA Today, wrote that electronic technology in cars have caused a number of car failures. "Complex computer systems have broken down on hundreds, perhaps thousands, of luxury vehicles, wreaking havoc on the lives of their owners," O'Donnell wrote. There have been various complaints stating that they have caused disconnected calls, seats that adjust without warning while cars are moving, the check engine signal to go on, and the shut down of car engines (O'Donnell).

Another problem that owners of onboard systems have faced was getting their cars stolen or broken into. People have been able to hack into systems like OnStar and Sync with their mobile phones. These systems can unlock car doors, start up engines, and even make it easier for people steal from others' houses. One system can control the appliances in a person's home, such as an electric stove or clothing iron, from the road (Cooley). If someone breaks into their car and messes with their carputer, the owner can go home to a burning house.

There has been an ongoing debate about the pros and cons of carputers as more and more people purchase them for their personal vehicles. The news coverage should be a lot more in depth about the matter than they have been because these purchasers don't fully understand what carputers can really do to their lives. I think the coverage has been awful. CNN raved about how amazing the new technology is, but they neglected to warn people about the negative effects of having the on-board systems. Other sources, such as USA Today and PC Authority, neglected to state the pros. Whatever happened to objective, unbiased news? The fact that trusted, professional news sources neglected to state both sides of the story is disappointing. I think it makes them look less credible and less professional. Bloggers do a better job at covering information.

Although carputers seem really cool to have, they can also toil with people's lives. I, personally, would feel like "tha man" to have such a gadget in my car. However, buying the expensive toy is one thing, but paying the price to have your car broken into or your privacy stolen is another thing.

References:

(2009). Hiinfo N1 Onboard Computer(with M710 Display in Hyundai). Retrieved February 23, 2009, from Made-in-China.com Web site: http://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/bluestar-pc/product-detailAbvQEdnJRTVP/China-Hiinfo-N1-Onboard-Computer-with-M710-Display-in-Hyundai-.html

(2009). Welcome to In-CarPC. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from In-Car PC Web site: http://www.in-carpc.co.uk/

Cooley, Brian (2006, March 21). * Video: A dashboard that is really a PC. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from CNET News Web site: http://news.cnet.com/1606-2_3-6052333.html

Griggs, Brandon (2009, January 9). Technology's next frontier: In-car computing. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from CNN.com/technology Web site: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/09/ces.cars.computers/index.html

In-car gadgets distracting drivers: police. (2008, December 30). The Sydney Morning Herald, p. C4.

Long, Daniel (2008, October 22). Geek my ride: Azentek promises in-car PC ‘not a distraction’ while driving. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from PC Authority Web site: http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/126232,geek-my-ride-azentek-promises-incar-pc-%E2%80%98not-a-distraction%E2%80%99-while-driving.aspx

O'Donnell, Jayne (2008, November 11). Advances in car technology bring high-class headaches. USA Today, p. C3.

Powell, Evan (2008, May 7). Hyundai and Microsoft partner to offer in-car computer system. Retrieved February 23, 2009, from Car Central Web site: http://www.carcentral.com.au/20080507595/gadgets/hyundai-and-microsoft-partner-to-offer-in-car-computer-system.html