2013

Self-driving vehicles, which were once relegated to the realm of science fiction, may now only be a few years away.  Various automakers have put together semi-autonomous vehicles that can assist a driver as they go about their commute, while Google has been busy putting together test miles for vehicles that can purportedly drive of their… read more

A new report takes a look at a growing industry of apps that seek to help drivers get away from engaging in distracting activities with their phones, but it also points out a growing concern that these apps are actually doing more harm than good.  A Texting Awareness Foundation spokesperson, for instance, points out that… read more

This past Sunday, a train collision in New York claimed the lives of four people, casting a spotlight on the safety of these vehicles.  A new report shows how the incident has served as a reminder that many train operators are lagging in their quest to meet a federally imposed deadline designed to foster safety. Before… read more

Another new article has arrived that takes a look at how automakers are attempting to make strides in the safety systems of modern vehicles.  The San Jose Mercury News report points out that Toyota has chosen to circumvent an auto show debut entirely by instead rolling out their new concept car at the Las Vegas… read more

Google and society at large may be keen on autonomous vehicles, but that doesn’t mean that lawmakers at the national level are ready to make a leap into something that once seemed like science fiction. Although California and other states have actually already provided a legislative framework for the adoption of such vehicles, there was… read more

We live in an era where automobiles are becoming safer than ever thanks to technology.  Advances have been made in seemingly every part of a vehicle, from the onboard computer that can detect a crash to headlights that do a better job displaying the road up ahead. However, this attention to safety has come at… read more

By the end of the year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hopes to unveil recommendations for vehicle systems that seek to force drivers into behaving properly, in some cases before the car can even be started. There are three technologies in question.  The first is a collision avoidance system that’s capable of warning a… read more

Citing safety concerns, the Toyota Motor Corporation has asked the government to delay a plan to expand internet access until such time that research can be conducted into how this would affect the safety of automobiles using the wireless spectrum allotted for vehicle safety functions. Development is underway on vehicles that can communicate with infrastructure… read more

A new report out of Tampa Bay takes a look at the increasing availability of so-called automobile black boxes, which can monitor the circumstances surrounding a crash to determine what may have went wrong.  One engineer interviewed for the article noted that most people probably don’t realize that their automobile is equipped with such a… read more

Google Glass hasn’t even come out yet, but people are already wondering about the many legal implications of the device.  Some are concerned about privacy in an age where people around them are wearing glorified cameras as they go about their day, while others worry about the danger posed when people are so distracted by… read more

Vehicle technology is developing at a rapid pace.  Active safety systems now exist that stop a vehicle before an accident occurs or wake a driver up when he or she is about to fall asleep.  Automobiles will soon be able to communicate with one another to keep a serious collision from taking place.  And Google… read more

A new report takes a look at the creation of an active safety system designed to detect wildlife.  The headquarters of the company responsible for the technology, Autolive Electronics Night Vision, is in Santa Barbara, California, and to see the system in action, the Santa Barbara Independent got to take a parking lot test drive. … read more