Earlier this week GM exhibited futuristic display technology currently under development.
The system expands the idea of heads-up display to the entire surface of the windshield incorporating advanced sensor technology to provide extensive safety information.
Current heads-up displays draw images on a small area of the windshield above the driver’s head and may include basic information such as speed. The new system GM is developing in cooperation with Carnegie Mellon and USC draws information on the entire inner surface of the windshield creating an augmented reality version of what is going on outside. Data is collected through an array of sensors and cameras outside the vehicle which feeds into the image the driver sees.
The goal of the system is to enhance safety.
Imagine the scenario of an extremely foggy night or a drive through very dense rain or snow. Driving can be difficult due to the inability to discern the edges of the road or other vehicles. The new system can actually draw the outlines of the road so that the driver knows exactly where they are.
Moving objects such as pedestrians, animals and other vehicles can be visually enhanced on the screen as well. Night vision technology is an important component a well.
GM hasn’t specifically designated a vehicle that will receive this system, and there is still a lot of work to be done. Fully functional units may not be production ready until 2016, but components of the system may find their way into vehicles in the near-term.
“This design is superior to traditional head down display-based night vision systems, which require a user to read information from a traditional display, create a mental model and imagine the threat’s precise location in space,” said Thomas Seder, group lab manager-GM R&D. “We have done testing on a number of drivers and their performance is better relative to head-down systems that are commonly used in vehicles today.”
“It’s a compelling design,” he added.
Check out the video below.
Source (GM)
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:07 am)Cool, but will it do texting? (g)
Be well,
Tagamet
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:09 am)Perfect timing for my Gen 3 Volt with the solid state batteries and HCCI range extender when I finish Grad school in 2015, hopefully
I can see it now. GM will launch an App store for the augmented reality windshield and some CS students from Cal Poly will add a dual joystick system and you can pretend like you’re Luke Skywalker in an X-Wing fighter except instead of shooting the ventilation port or Tie Fighters, you can pretend to shoot pedestrians and cars.
Or a Top Gun simulator. Sidewinder missile away!
This will revolutionize the point system.
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:17 am)Cool thread, looks complex, interesting, and semi-useful. It could help with that Moose on the road where I live. There are a number of Moose accidents where I live. How much would it cost? with the amount of technology that is packed into a pocket camera it may be cost may be low enough to be considered. I would probably choose this before I picked a car that could park itself.
They did get close to what I want in the video. A car that can fly….
Peace
-4
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:20 am)1988 they came up with a good idea for a good reason. Yet it won’t be available in Volt, even though the competition already offers a solution of their own.
Now they want to build upon it to offer a system that would greatly add cost to the vehicle and be almost completely worthless during the winter, when it would be most beneficial.
Why not focus on a safety feature that actually improves efficiency instead? Replace the side mirrors with cameras…
More and more we see GM wanting to impress with technology rather than using it to reduce price. Misplaced priorities were the cause of trouble before.
+3
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:28 am)Could have used that system back when I was 17. I was hauling 2 friends and 3 motorcycles over Going to the Sun Highway to get to a motocross race and the snowplows had just opened the pass after a heck of a blizzard. As we were going around an outside corner halfway through we heard a rapid thump-thump-thump-thump noise until we got to the straightaway. Heard the noise again at the next outside/dropoff corner and realized that we were right on the edge of the level road, the snowplow had snapped off the blizzard markers nearly flush with the ground and the thumping noise was the outer tires hitting the stubs, beyond which there was probably just a foot or two of level ground before the mountain dropped away, rather steeply, even though the plowed snow made it look like I had another 5 or 6 feet. This heads up system could be just perfect for identifying the true edge of a highway despite parts of it being covered with snow drifts.
Coming from the flat portion of Montana I was more used to white outs and blowing snow, it didn’t occur to me that the blizzard markers were missing, and this sort of system would help keep that mistake from becoming a fatal one.
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:31 am)And don’t forget the bonus points for those old folks with walkers! (lol). Maybe by then Apple will have absorbed GM and the vehicle ill be a true multimedia experience.
Be well,
Tagamet
LJGTVWOTR!!
-2
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:32 am)How would it know where the edges are?
Unless all the roads are retrofit with sensors, a computer can’t identify edges covered with snow, ice, and sand. Salt bleaching is a very real problem too. Visual simply isn’t realistic.
+1
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:32 am)Do you really want average Joe to be “flying on instruments” in a snow storm? I don’t.
+1
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:47 am)Or if snow plows had this type of system, maybe they wouldn’t snap off the blizzard markers in the first place. Just a thought.
On the other hand . . .
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:57 am)I figure that the system would be much more likely to recognize the stumps for what they are than a novice driver would. And as for flying on instruments, that is pretty close to what Montana drivers do in white outs and blowing snow. We drive on memory of the road and the tactile sense of what the highway feels like nearly as much as what we see. Or at least we did when I was in my teens and twenties, not sure I would find anything important enough to drive in conditions like that now.
+5
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:58 am)GM’s first heads-up displays were introduced not long after they acquired Hughes, one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced space and aircraft systems. Aircraft heads-up displays already existed and served as the model for Caddy’s initial system. Both projected images on the windshield placed so as to minimize the need for the pilot/driver to divert his vision from the flight path/road. Both thereby improved safety.
I suspect this next major advance will employ many of the kinds of sensors the automotive industry has been developing to automatically reduce accident rates, e.g. 1) road edge/lane sensing; 2) IR sensing of persons, animals, etc on the road ahead; 3) radar sensing of vehicles or other obstacles ahead. The first full-windshield systems as described will likely use similar sensors, but will not fully implement automated steering correction or emergency slowdown/ stopping —relying instead on the driver to “close the loop”. IOW, I see this system as an initial step toward automated closed-loop driving-assist systems —systems which should in the not-so-distant-future dramatically reduce automobile accident rates as well as fatalities.
+1
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:01 am)Better to have sensors that brake to avoid objects than just show the objects. Although, seeing what the car is braking for would be nice.
On step closer to the iRobot style of ‘driving’. Manually (or Womanually) driving would be obsolete and seldom used.
Computers will surpass our capabilities (and already have in some narrow areas). Hope they keep us around for laughs.
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:10 am)(Loved IRobot) I agree with nasaman re keeping the loop open so that the driver is still at least involved (if not integral). Automatic braking systems exist already, so as the systems mature I can see them gradually layered on each proven element of the system. Even in IRobot, he was able to take over control of the vehicle (granted, he did then crash – lol). Getting computers to mimic actual “sight” has been a REALLY tough nut to crack.
Be well,
Tagamet
LJGTVWOTR!!
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:16 am)Would GPS and radar help?
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:23 am)ziv is on the right track regarding the usefulness.
When I drove the Volt last Saturday, I really liked the “low-e” glass that it had, because as you get older, your left forearm skin and left side of your head and neck become really sensitive to the harshness of unfiltered sunlight from decades of exposure on that side of your body. (Plus, “low-e” glass is a real benefit for the electric A/C in the Volt).
The heads up system would not be as expensive as many of us might think. The sensors are fairly inexpensive. Tiny, low power radar, thermal imaging, low power sonar possibly, are all very old technologies that have become miniaturized down through the decades.
Research regarding a “heads up” left side rear view and a “heads up” right side rear view might go far for reducing CD by eliminating the side mirrors. I still might want a center rear view mirror, but, would certainly be open to new tech there if GM did it. That’s because of the superb job they did in making the Volt adaptable for a new owner in a matter of seconds, not hours or days, *seconds*.
This proves to me that GM research into “what works well” when you first get into it is a proven set of methods for designing products and systems. If GM says they are making something new, well, I am all “ears” and “eyes”.
-2
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:24 am)It’s begining to look like NASA and GM should just merge as a research organization and sell stock in a new spin-off that builds cars.
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:25 am)This will be ready about 2016. Just in time for your fuel cell Cadillac. Better start saving those pennies, considering, 2010 ESCALADE HYBRID is only $73,425. That 2016 top of the line fuel cell ‘Slade is starting to look pretty expensive, relatively speaking.
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:35 am)Gee, Toyota and other automakers are having a difficult enough time just getting the gas and brake pedals working correctly with a computer in the loop. Placing more responsibilities on computer systems scares me.
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:36 am)I think I read somewhere here that the mirrors were not much, if any, drag issue, but could be wrong.
OT:DAN I don’t know if you saw the post from DonC to you regarding help with business opportunities for your unique skills. It was toward the end of the comments 2 or 3 threads ago.
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:37 am)Eventually the driver will become the weak link in the system. What decisions will the systems make from that point on? Will Nasaman start a new company to take advantage of quantum level advances? Will that company merge with a firm that uses emergent breakthrough technologies and be re-named as Cyberdyne Systems? Questions, always questions.
+4
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:39 am)Will the sensors display what type of ‘roadkill’ is up ahead? Cat? Dog? Skunk? Possum? Motorcyclist?
+4
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:49 am)It is not like this is a replacement for looking out the windshield. Any safety improvement is better than none. I have driven slowly in blizzards where I have had to go by feel of the right tire as I kept it on-off the edge of the road. “flying on instruments” would have been wonderful.
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:50 am)I take your suggestion as a compliment and chuckled about it, but at this stage of my life I’m quite satisfied to provide consulting services to NASA, GM, etc ( if curious, see http://www.s-cubed.vpweb.com )
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:50 am)Yes, Tag, I did.
Thank you very much for the reminder. I don’t use email (yet, but have now found Kaspersky security highly promising to allow for it), but, instead, I invited DonC to just call me on my analog phone line (I’m listed in the white pages on Europa).
(I’m also thoroughly experienced in the needs of VC and the details of terms and terminologies, so, I believe that now is the time for a general/generic, fully-matured product for a technically-sophisticated VC participant).
I think I might prefer some intermediary VC that is associated with NewGMCo.
Thanks again for the support on that.
+1
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:53 am)With the tort laws that exist in the US and other countries (and considering what’s going on with Toyota atm) I highly doubt that humans will be left out of the loop for some time. Having an automatic braking system doesn’t open a company to that many lawsuits, but the moment you enable automatic steering or acceleration you open a can of worms.
I can see this technology being a great helper in foggy days and night driving. Just last night i was driving down a dark road and didn’t see a group of skate boarders in the other lane until i passed them. Scared the crap out of me that I didn’t see them.
Good safety system but I do not see the humans being taken out of the loop anytime soon.
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:57 am)Off topic but of interest
Does anyone have any background information on any of these GM people
Cristi Landy, Chevy Volt Product Manager
Will Handzel, Chevy Volt Development Engineer
John Hughes, Chevy Volt Marketing Director
If any of us see any of them next week, it will be nice to know a bit more about who they are and what they do. I don’t remember seeing them mentioned on gm-volt, but probably that is just my bad memory.
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:57 am)Actually, even current heads-up systems show the driver an approximate image —its easy to distinguish dogs from men or motorcyclists (harder to see differences between small animals).
-1
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:59 am)No problem, just didn’t want either of you to miss out. It’d be cool if this site, even tangentially, resulted in the promotion of yet another “big thing”.
/Sunny day in the 70’s – my Dear One is dragging me outdoors (darn her). bbl
Be well,
Tagamet
LJGTVWOTR!!
Mar 21st, 2010 (11:01 am)One of the companies with an “emergency braking system’ for lack of th correct term, deploys the brakes when it has been determined that the driver will be in an accident unavoidably. It would be argued that the car augments the drivers safety in a crash rather than taking responsibility for avoiding one. I don’t rememder which OEM that report covered though.
Mar 21st, 2010 (11:03 am)This is exactly why I prefer the open loop system. This advanced display aids the driver as apposed to taking over for him. If the computer fails to work, then the diver just doesn’t have the display at all. The worst scenario would be where there is a mis-alignment and the display incorrectly displays the position of something. It should be possible to have the computer compare images from different sensors and make sure they agree, if they do not then the system should shut down with an error message.
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (11:07 am)More unneeded expensive technology to drive up the cost of the base car.
Why not just design a fiber interface that plugs into the Optic Nerve in your head?
Give it time, some clown will say “heads up” should be mandated by law in all new cars down the road.
ESC (Electronic Stability Control) mandated for 2012…..
http://www.tgdaily.com/business-and-law-features/31520-electronic-stability-control-required-for-all-cars-in-2012
On the “heads up” dashboard, I saw a functioning protype back in 1987.
PPG Industries had acquired the company I worked for at the time. Their Auto Glass Division was dragging around a demo box to impress people in the different divisions. Big whoop.
On misuse of technology, we’ve already got Braille at some Drive-Up ATM’s.
Think about that one for a while.
Mar 21st, 2010 (11:07 am)Glad you got a chuckle from it
Thank you for the link, it’s always good to see what folks are up to besides Volt Nation.
Mar 21st, 2010 (11:13 am)I love technology and GM but i am not sure both are going together.
Reason : I am not sure Gen 1 or Gen 2 HUD is currently in production ( its in shelf ) and gen 3 is in development. I think GM has to prove this is not a science experiment by putting Gen2/Gen1 HUD in production vehicles ( i know there were in production long back ) but i am not sure they have in any current production and have to check why they were out of production – there should be a reason for them moved out of production.
May be a right way is put GEn1/Gen2 HUD on a 2011 equinox or malibu .
-1
Mar 21st, 2010 (11:44 am)Prius already offers HUD in Europe.
Mar 21st, 2010 (12:35 pm)I swear I thought I saw somebody combining HUD and infrared night vision a few years ago… I think maybe it was back in 2004 when Siemens was pushing their color HUD. I can’t find any link but I thought it was a combination of either the Mercedes night vision (or possibly BMW) combined with the Siemens display. This page mentions all three systems but not anybody combining them.
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/automotive/in-dash-night-vision-system.htm/printable
(Who knows, maybe it was just me thinking it would have been a good idea at the time
I found some links about combining the Siemens HUD with navigation systems to overlay your turns and stuff on the HUD.
My only complaint about HUD overlays is now you have one more thing to adjust for your line of vision when you get into the car after your wife (who is a foot shorter than you) has been driving it.
(It’s already bad enough adjusting 3 mirrors and the seat in 7 directions or whatever oh and the steering wheel. Sheesh.)
Mar 21st, 2010 (12:42 pm)I drove to church this morning imagining blue lines on all the shoulders, I wonder if this is what Dan Petit was refering to when he said it only takes seconds to get used to the Volt? The circle highlighting speed limit signs would help me out a lot.
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (12:49 pm)GM has been offering Head Up Displays in cars since the early 90s and continue to do so. The last generation of the Pontiac Grand Prix was the end of HUD Gen 1. The Gen 2 HUDs (like now being used in the Lambda CUV’s and most recently the Buick Lacrosse) includes better definition through improved projector optics and more “active” data like warning messages, navigation system prompts and telematic (audio/phone) information. This article is merely discussing a possible “next” generation with additional capability. (via object recognition software software that was originally developed for the “night vision” feature ued in some Cadillacs)
It wont be offered on the Volt (at least in the first couple years)
WOT
Mar 21st, 2010 (1:05 pm)That is incorrect. They add noticably to the Cd and only a little to A. There was an interesting video clip of Martin Eberhard (of Tesla fame) and Bob Boniface speaking at the LA Autoshow in front of the Volt discussing this very thing. What John1235 fails to mention or is ignorant of in his GM hate post is that they are a NHTSA requirement. Tesla and probably GM would love to do away with side mirrors if they were allowed to. This would be a laudable goal for their lobbyists.
Mar 21st, 2010 (1:22 pm)Hi NM,
I visited your website and I’m very interested in hiring your firm for “Attitude control”. Granted, we don’t need a *lot* of it here, but a little might help! (lol, you know I’m just kidding).
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
/ you have PM
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 21st, 2010 (1:28 pm)Thanks for the clarification. Much appreciate it.
Be well and believe,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The VOLTS ‘ Wheels On The Road!!****NPNS
Mar 21st, 2010 (1:29 pm)It took only seconds for me to completely adapt to the Volt.
To answer your question the hard way,
there is a datastream within the SRS subprocessor called “Driver Occupant Class” or
“Driver Occupant Position”. It tells the airbag how far to deploy if necessary. There is a sensor within the seat tracks of both front seats. This pre-existing dataset can also be used to tell a HUD how to orient the geometry of your point of view. That’s a really easy one to do.
All you have to do is to initially set your eye height once, unless there is also technology that will also determine that as well (if you are getting drowsy and your eye lids are starting to cover the water reflective parts of your eyes). The technologies go on and on, and much of it is already “on the shelf”.
The other thing you mentioned, blue circles projected at the speed limit signs,
(lol), well, I suppose they could do an OCR (optical character recognition) with a front cam to remind you that you are more than 5% over the speed limit,(lol), but I think that would let too many folks lapse into not minding their speeds to a great extent.
+1
Mar 21st, 2010 (1:43 pm)Do they slap you in the face if it senses your eyes are closed? I could use that with road hypnosis and all but I think it would produce a subconscious fear of driving. What says you, Tag?
On second thought, my significant other already provides this function and I may already have the fear.
Mar 21st, 2010 (2:03 pm)Putting these comments together caused me to wonder if this technology could cause “the young and foolish” to get too overconfident, or the “somewhat less young and foolish” to get confident enough to rely on it when they should pull over or stay home.
+2
Mar 21st, 2010 (2:06 pm)My wife provides that function too. From the passenger seat, she says, “are you awake?” and I, eyes mostly closed, say, “why, do you want me to drive?”
Mar 21st, 2010 (2:36 pm)That snow storm was many years ago, I was afraid if I stopped completely that I would get stuck or someone would hit me from behind, I was afraid I might hit someone else, I really didn’t know what the best action would be. Staying home is not an option when you are out and get caught in this situation. I was on a 2 lane highway, there was a ditch off the right shoulder, I didn’t know how far I could safely pull over, too many unknowns.
-2
Mar 21st, 2010 (2:38 pm)What does “game changer” actually mean then?
+1
Mar 21st, 2010 (2:58 pm)Could mean lots of things:
-40 miles AER vs none
-200+ effective MPG for most drivers
-Strong regen with high power electronics and motor
-Unchallenged quietness and smoothness of ride compared to competitive vehicles for the majority of driving and still much improved for the balance of driving
-Better accelleration and immediate full torque
-Better design
It certainly does NOT mean GM is creating a vehicle capable of walking on water and avoiding federal regulations.
Mar 21st, 2010 (3:03 pm)Understood. This wasn’t a comment on your situation as much as where several comments lead my thought process. That is, would the technology lend itself to causing overconfidence? Just me wondering.
Mar 21st, 2010 (3:09 pm)Does the NHTSA requirement allow for cameras instead of mirrors? I think the Opel Flextreme GT/E has cameras. Would it be legal here?
Mar 21st, 2010 (3:10 pm)You’re most welcome. That video clip was very interesting. Definitely worth viewing. I just wish the audio was a little clearer.
http://www.mefeedia.com/watch/26252381
Mar 21st, 2010 (3:17 pm)Not unless it’s been changed in the last year, so no the Opel would not be allowed here with that setup. Side mirrors be required in Europe too, but I’ve never read anything one way or another on their standards. JMO but that Opel, while intriguing, was pure concept. Since GM couldn’t muster battery production allocation and a business case for the Converj, I don’t see it happening for that Opel.
Mar 21st, 2010 (4:26 pm)I’ve heard that, especially for general aviation pilots, there is fear that pilots may forget how to fly in an emergency, because so much is done for them now in the cockpit.
Mar 21st, 2010 (6:26 pm)I want a heads-up display that highlights all the pretty girls walking along the side of the road! LOL
Oh, and a iris tracker that my wife can program when my eyes stray off as such to deliver an electric shock through the steering wheel ( for safety ) — mainly the safety from me getting a frying pan planted squarely on my noggin!
RECHARGE! James
Note: Programming the computer as to what constitutes “pretty” may be difficult.
-7
Mar 21st, 2010 (6:28 pm)More waste of tax payer dollars by Gubmint Motors !
Mar 21st, 2010 (6:43 pm)While there are plenty of automated systems within that price of a commercial jet, general aviation is really considered a “low level zoo” as far as the plane flying ahead of the pilot is concerned. In general aviation, there is far less automation due to the far lower cost constraints of a small plane. (I used to fly, but stopped after 3 unsafe incidents). (A twin engined Cessna overflew my final approach above me by 20 feet, and, in another case the single-engined plane I was flying developed a bad misfire and I was sent up in the first place with two quarter tanks of avgas, and the owner knew the plane had a misfire. I ran too low on gas for my comfort, and quit flying.)
The HUD that GM would place would be as easily used as you could possibly expect. You would instinctively know that your attention is being directed to anticipate the unexpected.
Mar 21st, 2010 (6:46 pm)Seriously – I can see many safety aspects of the heads-up display windscreen – But also, a risk of “too much information” and visual distraction from the task at hand – driving. Plus more electronic complexity to go wrong. I say K.I.S.S. as much as possible.
My two little kids and I were nearly wiped out ( but for the grace of God ) a few days ago when a fellow Prius driver failed to look to her left as she was merging left when a two lane narrowed into one. I looked at her eyes in a millisecond when something told me she was distracted by her multi-info display and not paying attention to her surroundings. Luckily the high tech instrument called a horn, which I layed on profusely – snapped her back and got me back across the double yellow in time!
You may say a head-up display would have her more focused to the center, but I still say drivers will be transfixed on digital data rather than the territorial view ahead.
The video shows a translucent speedo display squarely in the center of the driver’s field of view – NOT GOOD IMO.
The sales staff at my local Toyota dealer loaned us a new top-of-the-line Sienna minivan with all the options including infrared parking sensors, backup camera and infrared cruise control. but this van had so many beeps, buzzes and idiot lights it was sensory overload and I would turn them all off.
Steering wheel heat/AC, Bluetooth phone and audio are fantastic safety devices ( Prius’ steering wheel is better than Volt ) But the rest is sensory overload.
RECHARGE! James
Mar 21st, 2010 (7:05 pm)I think you’re right on the sensory overload factors.
Inside the Volt, the number of icons and words on the display screens was minimized, and, I did not find any visual “clutter” characteristic to either display. It’s a really clean design inside, which I appreciated greatly.
It’s the finest luxury car I’ve ever seen and driven.
Mar 21st, 2010 (7:29 pm)Let the debate begin!
Mar 21st, 2010 (7:52 pm)Seeing images on the windshield of a future GM vehicle will be interesting. Seeing 2 or 3 demo Volt at a local parking lot will be meaningful.
=D-Volt
Best of luck to the Volt Nation Ten (VNT) at the upcoming NY demo drives. Just a quick 8 days away now.
Mar 21st, 2010 (8:05 pm)After hearing the sickening sound of hitting a cyclist at night, I’m all for it.
Mar 21st, 2010 (9:44 pm)I like that the video had a brief snapshot of a woman checking her smartphone to see the state of charge for her Volt!
“join thE REVolution”
Mar 21st, 2010 (10:23 pm)If computers do the driving then it will not be necessary to have the performance of the Volt. If a computer is driving who cares if it takes an additional 10 minutes, just means a few more minutes to read the paper or a book or work on a report for work.
Mar 22nd, 2010 (4:56 am)Not sure how the energy usage or cost compares between a HUD and the Capacitance LCD displays currently in the Volt, but maybe an energy and or cost savings could be realized by replacing the current displays with a HUD which responds to visual mouse clicks.
Mar 22nd, 2010 (7:01 am)Pardon the OT.
I just read the provisions of the new health bill.
I really see that it is very well thought out and strives to hurt no-one
while at the same time assures coverabilities for everyone.
The objections to it are absurd, and grossly politicized.
Insurer’s are not as able to “pick and choose” you to be dropped if
you get sick.
(I had this ridiculous “month to month” policy once, which
**I never really trusted**
especially if the first diagnosis was wrong, which
happens frequently from the overworked medical profession, you might
not have coverage by the time there is discovery that something else is
the problem instead).
The only thing the government is doing here is setting the payment standards
for the hard working people in the medical community, not “taking over” the
system. Read the details with an open mind, and you will see for yourself.
This lets the medical community have the needed financial base that
it needs for them to consistently perform their duties for us all, and will increase
my confidence level for diagnostics in medicine.
Thank you for reading my off-topic comment.
-1
Mar 22nd, 2010 (8:56 am)Its all baloney.
I remeber a few years back, one Cadillac model was supposed to have a HUD.
It never happened, and neither will this.
Mar 22nd, 2010 (9:46 am)I was going to do the standard “this is a dumb idea” post, but then I remembered once instance where it would have been nice. Driving through San Francisco a few years ago I had a very scary time due to the traffic lights being on poles at the side of the road, instead of directly overhead as I am used to. Also there was a ton of “clutter”, with it being San Francisco and all, making it tough to discover the light locations at each intersection. Oh, and I was also distracted by the panhandlers at each intersection!
So maybe a system could be worked out where the various features (show road, show stoplights, map, road hazards, etc) could be turned off and on. I just hope they make people pull over and put the car in Park before fiddling with this.
Mar 22nd, 2010 (9:49 am)Hmm, I seem to be getting the Edit capability about 50% of the time these days. Luckily I didn’t make any major dumb typos above(?).
EDIT: oops never mind, it is just a bit flaky, I need to wait a couple minutes before I can do an edit (maybe just my browser)
Mar 22nd, 2010 (10:20 am)More gee-whiz stuff I don’t need. These resources are better spent figuring out how to up the AER and the gas mileage, IMHO.
KISS
LJGTVWOTR!! NMST!
Mar 22nd, 2010 (11:14 am)seems unrelated to the Volt…and silly. Imagine a lawsuit of somebody saying – sorry, couldn’t see your dog / something in the distance as my heads up display was blocking you…
Just like better sound insulation and more comfortable ride – all designed to make people feel more comfortable, drive faster and pay less attention to the road…
Mar 22nd, 2010 (1:28 pm)What would be cool, is if there were no windshield and the HUD was One’s vision to outside the vehicle! 360deg cameras layed in the car with no blind spots when you look behind you! It’ll hardly be more complex than the Google Maps Street View images!