What would you like to see in the next generation cars?

[Bertuzzied]

I would like it to hover so i don't have to worry about snow or ice on the roads.

[Hanni]

I want a car that is controlled by my thoughts, and can fly.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

I would like it to hover so i don't have to worry about snow or ice on the roads.

Also that would help for the SW ring road.

[troutman]

Get out of my dreams, and into my next generation of cars.

[Cowboy89]

My opinion is actually of 'less is more' and would rather have a car that had quality, reliable components that do not break often and aren't overly complex and expensive to repair. So maybe I would suggest items / features / gagets that are already commonly available in cars, but that are of higher quality as they integrate with the car. A huge component of repair costs now come from electrical items (Wiring harnesses, features that break down et al), as a byproduct of companies trying to pack a car with features and comforts at the lowest possible costs.

For example on my current car, my tire sensors are terrible and flare up with inaccurate readings all the time, doesn't matter what the actual manual pressure guage says. If I replaced the thing and had it serviced as many times as the light goes off then I would be much poorer and no further ahead in terms of preventing excessive tire wear.

Basically I suggest a 1970s Japanese approach (Something that they have veered away from in recent years), take what we have today and make it better and more efficient.

[wooohooo]

I hear there are these pads that charge your phone through conduction. I would like that in the whole car so it can charge my phone even in my pocket. What would also be cool if it could somehow connect to the car so if I get a phone call it gets routed through the speaker and I can command dial through the car.

[wooohooo]

And a better way of texting while driving. Maybe voice to text or something...

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

Thanks Trad_Ale ... I was kind of serious in my post.

No prob. It's a very good thread.

That probably sounds too dangorous for the general population.

Don't see why. It would be no different than having a Garmin Nuvi sized GPS mounted to the windshield, except its a tiny projector in the dashboard to do the same thing. I want my GPS in the bottom left corner of the windshield without actually having a physical GPS on the windshield. It can be turned on and off easily.

What kind of stuff? Sensors are becoming a hot feature in the electronics world (mobile, and auto).

Anything you can think of. Real-time tracking of gas mileage based on tire pressure, ambient temperature, wind resistance, weight and incline would be cool as a start. Just think of it as Star Trekking your car, lots and lots of data for the nerds.

I can see where you're coming from, but I can see lots of legal problems here.

Just found out my boss` Sierra does this. So cool.

This one's a great idea! I like it.

Glad you liked it. I always wondered how many people have accidentally backed into a kid, then panicked and hit the gas instead of the brakes and finished the kid off.

I think BMW has this?

Yeah, but it's not really all that expensive and should be standard, imo.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

I saw something about Lexas doing something like that. I was a bit baffled they are actually going with autonomous cars, but so it goes.

Google has actually road-tested autonomous cars in San Fran traffic.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/sc...ogle.html?_r=1

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I hear there are these pads that charge your phone through conduction. I would like that in the whole car so it can charge my phone even in my pocket. What would also be cool if it could somehow connect to the car so if I get a phone call it gets routed through the speaker and I can command dial through the car.

You still need to plug a 7 of 9 style widget into the charging jack on your phone before you lay it down on the pad, but then the pad accomodates as many phones as you can fit on it. Maybe have the technology thats the pad in the cup-holders and trays?

[SebC]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Flight. No self driving cars, I would hate that.

I know some people like driving, but self-driving cars would solve a lot of congestion problems. You could always use the time you save not being stuck in traffic at the track.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I hear there are these pads that charge your phone through conduction. I would like that in the whole car so it can charge my phone even in my pocket. What would also be cool if it could somehow connect to the car so if I get a phone call it gets routed through the speaker and I can command dial through the car.

Theres no pocket charging yet, but our car has bluetooth so it works through the speakers. I can't dial out while driving though because they made it idiot proof.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

I hear there are these pads that charge your phone through conduction. I would like that in the whole car so it can charge my phone even in my pocket. What would also be cool if it could somehow connect to the car so if I get a phone call it gets routed through the speaker and I can command dial through the car.

(Bold) Good suggestion, I'll throw that out there.

Originally Posted by wooohooo

And a better way of texting while driving. Maybe voice to text or something...

I think car makers are moving towards this

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by SebC

I know some people like driving, but self-driving cars would solve a lot of congestion problems. You could always use the time you save not being stuck in traffic at the track.

Unfortunately they'll be turning the track into a storm water pond or a landfill.

[CaptainCrunch]

A passenger seat that rotates to face the drivers seat that includes a head clamp and a into the driver's lap motion

[Table 5]

I'd like cars to be about driving again, and not updating your facebook.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Unfortunately they'll be turning the track into a storm water pond or a landfill.

I'm still baffled that there isn't a wealthy enough racing fan in Calgary to see the chance to build a new track and cash in. Maybe even a group of individuals. A city of 1-million+ NEEDS a safe place to race.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Don't see why. It would be no different than having a Garmin Nuvi sized GPS mounted to the windshield, except its a tiny projector in the dashboard to do the same thing. I want my GPS in the bottom left corner of the windshield without actually having a physical GPS on the windshield. It can be turned on and off easily.

I think that would impede the view, creating some blind areas? I also think the cost/benefit of this might be a bit low.

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Anything you can think of. Real-time tracking of gas mileage based on tire pressure, ambient temperature, wind resistance, weight and incline would be cool as a start. Just think of it as Star Trekking your car, lots and lots of data for the nerds.

I think thats already in the works. You should see it in the next few years. I haven't got specifics, but I know more than a few companies seem to be implying that peripheral sensors are a big thing in the next few years.

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Glad you liked it. I always wondered how many people have accidentally backed into a kid, then panicked and hit the gas instead of the brakes and finished the kid off.

Yup tons of reasons. I might look more into this, the actual implementation is a bit involved but its a great suggestion!

[CaptainCrunch]

I want the heads up display that shows all of the relevant stuff and includes a jerk targeting device.

[Yasa]

Although not new, I'd like to see a standard feature that tilts the side mirrors down when you shift into reverse. My dads MDX had that and it made parking so nice.

A projected HUD would be nice (not sure how it would be feasible though.)

Heated steering wheels (again, not new, but doesn't seem like a stretch for cheap cars)

Self-tinting windshield (that can be adjusted.) Visors and that polarized layer aren't the greatest.

Self-adjusting crusie control that matches the car ahead of you until you or they move out of the way.

Retractable block heater extension cord, for no other reason than convenience.

Lastly; ceiling mounted licorice dispenser.