Car Black Boxes, Coming from Intel

The safety concerns caused by Japanese manufacturer Toyota's huge recall from late 2009-early 2010 has prompted US authorities, as you already know, into asking for technologies similar to the airplanes' black boxes to be fitted into a vehicle. An idea quickly embraced by car manufacturers and not only.

Computer giant Intel is currently working on a black box for cars. According to Intel, a future black box for vehicles will comprise an event recorder, linked to the vehicle's computer. The recorder should be able to record both internal data, as well as traffic signs, so that the fault for a possible incident could be identified as mechanical or driver error. For outside data recording, the black box will rely on cameras and sensors.

“With new vehicles, there will very likely be video cameras inside and outside,” Intel’s chief technology office, Justin Rattner told The New York Times. “It’s not particularly new or stunning, but when you combine the cameras with GPS, you’re geo-tagging the video.”

Intel's technology will be able to record 30 seconds or more of video. The footage will be used by investigators and insurance companies alike.

As for the price of the system, (the fear factor for adopting new technologies) that should not be a problem. According to Rattner, most of the technologies used by the black box will already exist in vehicles when it will become available.

“Even in the aftermarket, I would be surprised if it cost more than a decent security system or navigation system in a few years,” Rattner added.

The technology was demonstrated last month on a smart fortwo equipped with WiMax, a 4G wireless system that provides high-speed data and Internet connections to moving vehicles.