Dropping Science: New Tech For A New Year : Nanny Car

By Kate Gammon , published on December 30, 2008 at 2:30 PM
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Vehicles that can take care of you are an idea that’s speeding faster than a getaway car. This month, a group of researchers at the University of Utah has developed a car ignition key that prevents drivers from using a cell phone while at the wheel. When the key is inserted in the car's ignition slot, it uses a Bluetooth link to block texting and calls on the mobile device. And if you’re thinking you’re smart enough to prevent all this silence, the software also can’t be blocked when the driver turns off the cell phone's Bluetooth function. That’s useful, say the researchers, considering that about 6% of travelers on the road at any time are talking on a cell phone and 10% of teen drivers are talking or texting. Studies have shown that driving while using a mobile phone increases the risk of an accident by four times–so any car that can baby sit you is worth its weight in oil.
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Comments
DGriffin 12/31/2008 8:59 AM
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What an idiotic idea!!! What if an other person in the car wants to use their cell phone???? What if there is an emergency!?!?!?!

zodiacfml 12/31/2008 10:40 AM
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i agree, no one will buy that car. hehe

Anonymous 12/31/2008 2:28 PM
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You can't be serious? If you can't tell a recorded disc from an original one with your bare eyes you need to check your glasses.

Anonymous 12/31/2008 2:39 PM
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Electronic gyros are nothing new, they've been around in r/c helis for several years. And they're not very expensive. Cheapest goes for 20 bucks.

Anonymous 12/31/2008 4:08 PM
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Umm.. the difference between a pressed(original) cd and a copy(burned) is that a pressed cd's data (0 and 1) are represented by physical pits and peaks whereas a burned cd's information is represented by burned (reflective and not reflective) marks on a flat plain. Make a system to differentiate peaks (which are reflective, but does not reflect into the target sensor) from non-reflective burn marks. Then you can tell which is a copy, and which is an original.

Balshoy 01/03/2009 1:15 AM
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Great another way to entice road rage... turn the mobile off while blocked in traffic.

Anonymous 01/06/2009 8:41 AM
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Robotic Clams...? Yes, finally! what we've all been waiting for!

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