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Car Chronicles Blog: Life In A Connected Car

By Jeff Glibert
@JefferyGilbert

The first "connected cars" will start appearing in two years.  GM made the first announcement at this week's Intelligent Transportation Congress.   Other carmakers are also working on technology that lets cars communicate with each other, and will follow suit.

But, what does this really mean?  I've had several vivid demonstrations this week.

I rode in connected cars from both Honda and GM.  They detected pedestrians, much faster than I could.  They saw motorcyclists and bicyclists coming from blind intersections.  We were even warned that baby ducks were crossing ahead of us.

Perhaps the most interesting thing I saw was a "virtual tow" mode, where one car could take over another and make it follow, much like a vehicle being towed.

Cars that are connected to each other could also connect drivers.  You could send a message to another car to go first, or apologize if you're cut off.  I'm guessing somebody will even figure out a "virtual obscene gesture."

That points out the dark side of connectivity.  It could both prevent and add to road rage.  And security must be robust to prevent "virtual hijackings."

And there will be things we can't even dream of.  Imagine things you do with your smart phone today that you didn't even know existed a few years ago.

VIDEO: GM shows automated car technology. 

I also got to see what automated cars can do, and what they can't.   An automated Acura found freeway intersections, merged, even dealt with construction.  But this technology is in the early stage, and don't think that you'll be able to just turn things over to your virtual driver.  I have the feeling that the "Google Vision" of cars without drivers is very far off.

And there are always the unintended consequences.

I had a Honda executive tell me about the potential to prevent crashes, which is the main reason for automation...as well as cutting down on--maybe even eliminating traffic jams.

I imagine that the people who designed the first freeways had a similar vision.

Connect with Jeff Gilbert
Email: jdgilbert@cbs.com
Facebook: facebook.com/carchronicles
Twitter: @jefferygilbert

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