The future of private transport?

I read a very disturbing article in the Sydney Morning Herald, describing how private motor vehicles might be 'Big Brother-ized' (for want of a better term) in the future. I don't like its forecasts at all . . . I want to keep full control of my vehicle when I'm driving it, not have it on some sort of auto-pilot; but it looks like that's what's coming. Here's an excerpt.

The threat of highway hacking, driver distraction and unlawful tracking are just a few of the concerns highlighted by researchers studying the next generation of computerised cars.

According to IBM, a new family car contains more lines of code than a space shuttle and makes up 40 per cent of the value of a new vehicle. Once they start communicating with other vehicles and external traffic infrastructure, data and software security will become of vital concern say analysts.

“Due to this exponential growth in the automotive electronics industry, owning a modern vehicle is equivalent to operating 30 or more computers on wheels,” IBM said.

This week General Motors told the world it was on track to offer driverless cars within a decade while German city, Ingolstadt unveiled a system of intelligent traffic lights that could tell drivers when the lights are about to change.

The German traffic light system lets the lights 'talk' to cars via their satellite navigation systems, advising drivers to slow down as they approach the intersection to avoid stopping to promote fuel efficiency. It also reminds drivers that running the light will risk a fine.

IBM also recently lodged a patent for a system that controls cars from traffic lights and this week it announced two new partnerships with auto technology companies, Hughes Telematics and Daimler subsidiary Fleetboard.

The patent takes wireless integration a step further than the German system, with controls that can remotely turn off a car engine to promote energy efficiency.

. . .

According to Thilo Koslowski, Gartner's car industry analyst, this level of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication will not come cheap.

"The community and driver benefits are key with this, but it also means that our driving will be more monitored which could lead to new cost models," he said.

This might come in the form of a C02 allowance allocated to each driver. "If you happen to drive fast over the weekend you may have used up all of your C02 allowance and may have to take the bus (or bike) for the remainder of the week," he said.

Although two-way wireless communication with a car engine is still thought to be a way off, scientists have been looking into software vulnerabilities that may afflict cars of the future.

Researchers from the University of Washington and the University of California recently set out to demonstrate some of the possibilities by plugging a laptop into the car's control socket.

They were able to kill the cars' engines and disable brakes while travelling at 65 kilometres per hour and also succeeded in locking the brakes.

. . .

Not only will vehicle telematics offer advanced communication and entertainment functions, but safety related applications such as automated airbag deployment notification and remote diagnostics that automatically update you via email about the condition of your brakes will become commonplace.

However Koslowski warns that drivers may pay a penalty for these benefits.

"In the beginning these technologies will become Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) which will aid you in your driving and if needed, minimise accident risk or injury. However, I do foresee a future where our privilege of driving whenever and however we want may also be restricted by these," he said.

. . .

General Motors is apparently still on track to begin offering driverless cars by 2020 that would allow motorists to do all the things they do now - text, talk on the phone, fool with a laptop, eat, watch videos - free from the distraction of driving the car.

"The car of the future will be connected to the internet and provide you with all critical and relevant information that will make your drive safer, more entertaining and social. We will be able to manage traffic and emissions for all the connected vehicles and your car may even start to drive itself to allow you to browse the internet while being driven to your office. The automobile will be the ultimate mobile device," said Koslowski.

There's more at the link. Recommended reading if you're worried about automation taking decision-making out of your hands.

If the article's forecasts come true, I predict booming demand for older used vehicles that can be kept in running order for as long as possible, to avoid having to rely on such systems! Certainly, I'll be in the market . . .

Peter