The Car Hub

In the latter part of this month there have been several new automotive regulating systems revealed to the public which, if all the technology was combined, could greatly eliminate the need for a driver.

In the first instance Transport For London (TFL) are trialling a system known as Intelligent Speed Adaption (ISA) which is designed to prevent drivers from exceeding designated speed limits.

Testing will commence this summer on all roads within the confines of the M25. Using satellite tracking and a digital road map the device will be able to recognize speed limits and control the cars speed. The first vehicles to be fitted with the device will be a small number of taxis, buses, and council vehicles.

When offered for sale to the public next year there will be a choice Picturef automatic or advisory modes. The automatic mode will obviously automatically act and reduce the speed of a vehicle as it enters and exits differing speed limits. The advisory mode will merely show a "smiley" face on the indicator if the limit is obeyed and a frown if the limit is ignored.

Anyone with a dangerous number of penalty points for speeding on their license might be well advised to fit one of these.

The second intelligent automotive system is hailed as a device that could dramatically cut the number of crashes simply by reducing driver error.

Known as the COHDA Intelligent Transport System the technology uses a GPS locator and a chip. Provided other cars are fitted with a similar device, the selling price is already established at a reasonable £60, the chips transmit their speed and location to others at the rate of 10 times per second who are within the 500ft range.

Should the system detect imminent danger it will tighten seat belt tension and increase braking pressure, added later will be the ability to control the steering and fully applying the brakes; also controversially a curtain or shield will descend to prevent the driver from viewing what is happening and possibly taking an action contradicting the computer chip.

Both the above systems have safety as their main aim but two main issues are very likely to arise at some time in the future.

Issue 1 involves complacency; if a driver is aware that his/her car is under the control of a third party then the danger of relaxing ones concentration arises and the loss of awareness of other vehicles, possibly not fitted with a similar devices.

Issue 2, if there is an accident after the system has taken control of the car, who is to blame? Should not the driver be in charge of his/her vehicle at all times? If the system has taken over is he/she blameless?

Finally should the worst happen not only is there the question of blame but also insurance. Will drivers want to risk their already high premiums by allowing their cars to be under the control of a third party?