Car That Thinks For Itself

[mik]

I just stumbled across this little article, if its a repost please do your thing mods.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...content1:17-05


Car that thinks for itself is on its way
Stephen Ottley
May 13, 2011
THE internet giant Google has signed a deal with Ford that will result in data about drivers' trips being logged and analysed.

The two companies aim to develop systems to cut commuter times and vehicle emissions.

The partnership will utilise cloud computing technology - storing and analysing data at a remote server - to allow it to store vast quantities of information.

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The goal is to develop cars capable of predicting where the driver wants to go as soon as the vehicle is started.

In a touch of sci-fi, Ford said the car could speak to the driver, ask the destination and plan the route.

Once the driver confirmed the destination, the car would be able to optimise its engine conditions and map the most efficient guidance.

The concept is likely to be most beneficial in extending the operating range of electric or hybrid vehicles.

Such technology could be crucial to the mainstream acceptance of electric cars.

By optimising the efficiency of the electric motor and batteries, the technology could help alleviate range anxiety, a newly defined state of concern among drivers of electric cars that their vehicles will run out of charge before they reach their destination. Range anxiety is accepted among manufacturers as one of the biggest challenges the industry faces in achieving widespread popularity of electric vehicles.

Johannes Kristinsson, a Ford research engineer, said: "This technology has the potential to empower our vehicles to anticipate the driver's needs."

Ford and Google said data about driver behaviour would be kept secure.

"A key component of this project is looking at how to develop secure personal profiles that will ensure appropriate levels of protection and specific data use only by the driver and the vehicle,'' Mr Kristinsson said.

[Jim Goose]

Oh great... much like GPS info being sold... and iPhone locations being sold...