Remedy for falling asleep while at the driving wheel

Vehicles of the future may keep an eye on their drivers, rousing you if you start to nod off, thanks to new technology that can scan your face for signs of drowsiness.

FaceLab uses two cameras built into the dashboard to identify key points on your face (it's unfazed by sunglasses or a head turned to one side), creating a 3D picture which it compares to a computer model. By analyzing the movements of your head, the rate you blink and the angle of your gaze it monitors progressive drowsiness. If you're in a danger of falling asleep, the system could trigger alarms or a flashing red light-which could refuse to stop until the card did. If the system works and is adopted by the industry it could help save the innumerable lives lost each year from falling asleep at the wheel. » Continue reading

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Hands-free, not risk-free

It's hazardous to use a hand-held cell phone while driving, so many people turn to hands-free models. But they're also dangerous say researchers at Israel's Assaf Harofe Medical Centre. They had 41 people sit in front of a bowl, stare at the center and hit a button when they saw a light twinkle. First they took the test without distractions. Then they did it while using a speaker phone--and, on average, missed twice as many lights, "Missing one point may be important while driving," says the study's author. "That could be a car braking." To be safe, park, then chat. » Continue reading

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Robots have already proven to be killer machines

Did you ever fear the thought of robots with artificial intelligence taking over the human race by storm after watching science fiction movies like "The Terminator"? Hrafn writes about a couple of incidents where humans have been killed by robots, although not intentionally but due to human error. But isn't that a reason good enough to fear approaching a robot?

If a robot preprogrammed to perform a specific task can malfunction due to human error, imagine the possibility of a robot with artificial intelligence programmed to learn from its experience malfunctioning or learning something not meant to be learned, all due to human error.

Check out inkblot earth for the graphic representation of the robot pushing a human into the grinding machine. » Continue reading

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Sony MEX-BT5000: A Revolutionary Bluetooth Car Stereo Head Unit

Designed for today’s mobile lifestyle with safety driving in mind, the MEX-BT5000 is the first Sony in-car audio-streaming AM/FM CD receiver head unit equipped with on-board Bluetooth wireless technology. It wirelessly links to Bluetooth mobile phones for making and receiving calls hands-free during a journey thanks also to a built-in microphone with integrated noise and echo reduction signal processing. It can also stream music from Bluetooth phones or music players if it supports A2DP and once it's paired. This stylish car stereo features an attractive minimalist design with a high visibility, full-motion fluorescent display that can even display phone book data.

You can even transfer and store up to 50 phonebook contacts and six speed dial entries from any compatible phone, then place calls using the unit.

The MEX-BT5000 supports the MP3, WMA and ATRAC codecs, as well as audio CDs. Music phones with Bluetooth technology, including the Sony Ericsson Walkman phones, work with the unit to stream music from the phone throughout the vehicle's stereo system.

It also has a DRIVE-S HX CD playback mechanism; Dynamic Soundstage Organizer II; 24-bit digital-to-analog conversion; and an S-MOSFET power stage that delivers 52-Watt x 4 channels. It comes with with a flip-down screen and white LED key illumination, a remote and Sony Bus Control for CD changers; and is satellite radio-ready.

You can check the price and even buy Sony MEX-BT5000 online at Amazon. » Continue reading

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