Photo: Free Patents Online
Drivers engaged in text messaging on a cellular phone are 23 times more likely to crash their cars than non-distracted drivers. You can read that again because numbers don't lie.
But here comes Hyundai, who recently filed a patent for a smartphone in-car function that can disable the device when placed in the vicinity of the steering wheel.
As innovative at the idea might be, it sure raises a lot of question and is bound for serious controversy. Be advised, this looks beyond recent research carried out by carmakers on head and eye tracking system that make sure the driver is keeping eyes on the road and traffic, not on Facebook's news feed.
The document's abstract clearly states that the system "limits and disables the use of some mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user, when the user is engaged in another activity."
In addition, the safety system can also restrict the driver's ability to text while the car is in motion. This should be done automatically, by shutting down the SMS feature of the phone within or around the perimeter of the driver's seat.
Although it would be a lot easier and safer if people actually kept smartphones in their pockets while driving, the idea is by no means a bad one. However, it would take a lot of years to implement if Hyundai decides to green-light the project. Moreover, cars would have to be fitted with some sort of monitoring antennas to pick up cellular signals.
In addition, smartphones will need to run a specific app that would be connected to the car's safety system, but that's the least concerning aspect Hyundai will have to overpass.
As innovative at the idea might be, it sure raises a lot of question and is bound for serious controversy. Be advised, this looks beyond recent research carried out by carmakers on head and eye tracking system that make sure the driver is keeping eyes on the road and traffic, not on Facebook's news feed.
The document's abstract clearly states that the system "limits and disables the use of some mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user, when the user is engaged in another activity."
In addition, the safety system can also restrict the driver's ability to text while the car is in motion. This should be done automatically, by shutting down the SMS feature of the phone within or around the perimeter of the driver's seat.
Although it would be a lot easier and safer if people actually kept smartphones in their pockets while driving, the idea is by no means a bad one. However, it would take a lot of years to implement if Hyundai decides to green-light the project. Moreover, cars would have to be fitted with some sort of monitoring antennas to pick up cellular signals.
In addition, smartphones will need to run a specific app that would be connected to the car's safety system, but that's the least concerning aspect Hyundai will have to overpass.
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