New
car technology strives to prevent collisions
By Brittani Bixler
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Automobile manufacturers are shifting their focus from protecting passengers
in car accidents to preventing collisions altogether.
When American Honda Motor Co. first introduced passenger airbags into their new
car models in the early 1980s, they were viewed as cutting edge and ahead of
the times. Now, some 25 years later, Honda is leading the pack again with a new
set of safety features, which are the first of their kind.
According to the safety section of Honda’s Web site, the manufacturer has
developed the world’s first Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS). CMBS
employs wave radar technology to identify the likeliness of a collision.
The driver is alerted to take action by visual, audio and physical warning which
include an automatic tug of the driver’s seatbelt. A computer applying
break pressure if the collision cannot be avoided reduces traveling speed. In
2006, the Acura RL will be the first vehicle to launch this technology in the
United States.
Honda hopes to reduce the number of auto accidents through the use of CMBS, however,
collisions are often inevitable. For those instances, Honda will equip their
2006 models with a Standard Occupant Position Detection System, to be used in
conjunction with the standard airbags.
This innovative system will halt the deployment of passenger side airbags when
the computer senses a child or small adult is not in the proper seating position.
Mercedes-Benz also announced they plan to cut down the number of auto wrecks.
The 2007 S Class will be equipped with an Infrared Vision System, extending driver’s
visibility up to 500 feet. This system will flood the road ahead with infrared
light emitted from two projectors positioned in the headlights.
Carefully hidden in the windshield, the infrared camera receives images and presents
them on a display window located next to the speedometer. Mercedes manufacturers
say the result will be like looking at a “highly detailed black and white
video image.”
An article in CNN Money magazine reported on some safety features expected to
arrive between 2006 and 2008. One such feature is known as lane departure warnings.
With the help of small cameras and monitors, drivers will receive warning if
they begin to swerve off the road, or out of their lane. The camera will scan
lane markers, guardrails and other road barriers, which a drowsy driver may dangerously
cross.
Teaming up with satellite systems such as General Motors’ Onstar, cameras
will transmit images of the car’s interior to emergency workers, making
the driver’s physical condition available. Cameras will observe the driver’s
eyes and an alarm will be sounded if the car operator begins to doze off.
“
I think these new features are great. It’s good to know that drivers will
be more protected in years to come,” said Ric Dean, a customer at a Mercedes-Benz
car dealership in Newport Beach.
While some may view these new technologies as beneficial and advantageous, others
are not so willing to accept the latest inventions. Former Cal State Long Beach
student and BMW owner Kendra Fullmer said she feels “it is dangerous to
become so reliant on a computer to save your life. If you are tired, you should
not be driving. Simple as that.”
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