Textual Communication Between Vehicles
posted by jmaier on 29 August 2007 18:13 Go to forum
Problem context :
Currently the only way to get another driver's attention is by yelling at them, either literally, or using your blaring horn. Is that any civilized way to communicated to your fellow man? What if you simply want to tell them their tire pressure is low, or to please move out of the fast lane?
Proposed Solution :
Scrolling signs have been in store windows for decades, but seldom adorn vehicles. Modern technology allows for speach recognition and natural handwriting recognition, such that a driver could press a button on the dashboard, speak or scrawl out their message, and have it display in an LCD or similar display on whatever side of their car is needed.
The possibilities are endless. Advertise your taxi-cab. Tell the world you just got married (or divorced!). Let some one know their blinker is on, or brake lights are out, or gas cap is dangling. Ask for help on the side of the road. Automatically flash the sign red if your anti-lock brakes engage or your car alarm goes off.
I searched patents on this, and some similar ideas have been patented, but not implemented. It's high time we stop yelling at each other and start communicating and cooperating on the road out there.
**UPDATE**
The Roadmaster sign suggested by another user here is only half the answer. I'm sure a push-button style programming interface works fine if you're programming a message for your store window, but in a vehicle on the go, the interface has to be virtually hands free. I'm thinking no more complicated than a cruise control, radio, or air conditioner control...GPS at the worst. Voice recognition would be the nicest.
Also, I think a spoiler mounted display is ok for the rear of the vehicle, but the front of the vehicle needs a reversed display to be read in one's mirror from up ahead; perhaps integrate with the top of the windshield.
Submissions (6)
Already there...
answered by Daniel1976Duesentrieb on 23 November 2007 21:17
Not as a ready product but several big players and government are working on that...
Emerging - M2M
answered by Prakash on 18 September 2007 20:53
This is certainly an interesting idea. In fact, there is a bigger dimension to this idea, not just for using instead of honking. A new technology side called Telematics is around for some time. One branch of it is called machine to machine communication. The idea can further be extended here: A small device can go inside your car, and this can talk to your engine using OBD (on board diagnostics) protocol. This device can capture the engine speed, various sensor details, and many other parameters. Assume ALL cars are equipped with this device on the road with a common communication mode (wireless), using WiMax, CDMA, GPRS, GSM, or even RF. My car can tell me about a fast approaching car behind me, speed, rpm etc. It can even tell me change the lane based on my car speed, threshold etc. The intelligence in cars will take time to come, and a plug-in product like this may be the way to go! If there are anyone out here thinking this idea is interesting and viable let me know. Perhaps we can define more clear requirements with detailed market study etc.
Already being marketed
answered by Siafu_Snafu on 29 August 2007 22:16
This exact idea is currently being marketed by Roadmaster USA. Here is the product page:
http://www.roadmasterusa.com/accessories_rm.php
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Community resistance and legality...
answered by enphiniti on 29 August 2007 20:25
The idea of using scrolling signs on a vehicle is a great idea to allow communication between drivers, but community resistance and some local laws might pose problems to implementation. Many communities in the US have tried to block or have limitations on the use of flashing or moving images and lights in advertising. The argument against such advertisements is that they are distracting to drivers. If these limitations are taken into consideration during the design process and if enough political finesse can be used during product launch, this problem might turn out to be a non-issue, but it is certainly something to keep in mind as this idea progresses.