For years people have been putting technology in their cars: CB radios have given way to cell phones; 8-tracks have been replaced by cassettes, then CDs, and now iPod docking stations. In this episode, we learn more about the technology in our cars as well as the technology that makes them safer.
Guests
Alex Anderson
Alex Anderson
Alex is an information technology professional with Academic and Distributed Computing Services at the University of Minnesota. Among other duties, he has supported the online course management system used at the University, WebCT, since the year 2000. When not on campus, he has interests in bicycling, history, technology, music, and automotive engineering.
Max Donath
Max Donath
Professor Donath works in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and is the director of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute. His research includes work on human-centered and autonomous control of vehicles and collision avoidance.
For Your Files
Alex Anderson, technology specialist at the University of Minnesota, discussed options for using your mp3 player in your car:
"One would be an FM transmitter that you basically plug into your mp3 player, and then your car stereo would pick [it] up just as a station you tune into. An older option is to use a tape adaptor—which basically just gives you the ability to have [it] in your car stereo if there's tape deck—you plug that in and there's a cord running out and then you plug that in."
And Alex said there is a more permanent yet more expensive option:
"A lot of car stereos now have the ability to connect to a CD changer. But there is the ability with some devices to trick the car stereo into believing that your mp3 player is the changer, so you can say it's kind of a translator in a sense."
Professor Max Donath, director of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Institute at the U, discussed technologies they are developing to keep the driver engaged, thus making the driving experience safer:
"We do that actually by providing feedback to you: to your eyes, providing visual cues; through your ears, what you hear; through your hands, through the steering wheel, we might apply forces to the steering wheel. We might touch your feet through the pedal, push back on the throttle pedal if you're going too fast."
FM transmitter
In terms of in-car entertainment, an FM transmitter is a small device you can plug in to your mp3 player. The transmitter then broadcasts your car stereo to an FM channel. This allows you to connect your music player to your car stereo without any rewiring.
Human-centered control
A system that keeps the driver in control of his or her car, but which strives to reduce driver error by providing more information about the driving situation. This is done through visual, audio, and tactile cues to the driver.
OBD
Acronym for "on board diagnostics." These computerized systems are present in most modern cars and light trucks and are used to control some engine functions and diagnose problems. Some drivers are now installing their own computers in their cars in order to monitor their OBD systems themselves.