Intelligent dashboard could shut off distractions to improve reaction times

We've already seen whips that brake for us, steer for us and wheel us into that last remaining spot on 5th Avenue without marring someone's BMW, so it follows logic that we'd see vehicles that peer into our minds, too. Research done by a crew at the Technical University of Berlin has shown that a "smart dashboard" could one day deactivate distractions within the vehicle in order to improve driver response if things simply get too hectic. Reportedly, the system could switch off in-car gadgetry (you know, navigators, radios, Hello Kitty headsets, etc.) when one's brain became overloaded in order to speed up reaction time "by as much as 100-milliseconds." Of course, this is assuming that said brain won't melt down even further when that beloved iPod inexplicably shuts off just as Slash gears up for some serious shredding in Welcome to the Jungle, but nevertheless, we applaud the effort.

[Image courtesy of TAMU]

[roflercopterer @ Jan 21st 2008 7:32AM]

Nanny-technology is nearly as bad as the Nanny-state.

Where's our technology Ron Paul?

[Josh L @ Jan 21st 2008 10:39AM]

Probably busy being just as batshit insane as the real one.

[thethirdmoose @ Jan 21st 2008 12:15PM]

Building a time machine to go back to the gold standard... duh

[roflercopterer @ Jan 22nd 2008 6:59PM]

Oh Josh, you're so clever...Why don't you come back when you can make an educated point of your own instead of repeating what you heard someone say about him. You probably don't even know why he's "batshit insane."

[STUD HUNK @ Jan 21st 2008 7:40AM]

Of course, the goals of these smart technologies are honorable.

But the problem is - a new generation that becomes so completely dependent on them - that the ability to be proactive and to use common sense is not shapened.

So in essence, when the technologies STOP working - they could potentially suffer more.

:-(

[Ghen @ Jan 21st 2008 8:42AM]

Well instead of just shutting it all off they could easily just turn down the volume slowly and fade out the GPS screen slowly.

Heck, I'm sure they're already testing which way is better.

[ruisu2012 @ Jan 21st 2008 7:43AM]

Awwww man that last bit about 'Welcome to the Jungle' made me LOL XD
It's a good idea but surely the kids are gonna explode if something of theirs gets turned off. That won't remove hecticness in the car, it would make it worse! =P

[Electromodo @ Jan 21st 2008 10:10AM]

'Welcome to the Jungle' - I would never think Engadget still remembers classics. Well, I see, long ago, before connecting their brains to the WAN, Engadget editors were people too... ;)

[Craig @ Jan 21st 2008 1:21PM]

In terms of distracting the driver, the sounds of Thomas and Friends from the backseat is nothing compared to the instant shrieking that would ensue if Thomas was suddenly silenced.

[David @ Jan 21st 2008 8:13AM]

Old news - Volvo have been doing this for some time...

[Goof92 @ Jan 21st 2008 8:28AM]

Yep, the Volvo C30 definitely has this... If you are applying the brakes rapidly, or slowing down at any speed above the norm, it will not display any alerts on the dash until driving has returned to a normal status.

Also, I don't agree with Stud Hunk, not for this anyways, this is just one of those 'niceties' that will eventually become the norm (like electric windows), but I do agree that some technologies are being taken for granted, my sister for example, has no idea how to read a map, but she can set a course in a GPS in 5secs, if her GPS failed and was out of cell reception, I'm not sure what she would do!

[Kurtis @ Jan 21st 2008 9:56AM]

Not the same thing. Read.

[Tristan @ Jan 21st 2008 4:41PM]

@ Kurtis - Exactly the same thing... You read! It's just applied to more things in the car... Although the Volvo already applies to the GPS and such... so maybe it's not applied to more at all... which means it's EXACTLY THE SAME...

Feel free to back your comment up!

[SamSam @ Jan 21st 2008 8:16AM]

I bet it's just a timer that randomly shuts things off in your car while you drive.

I mean, in that scenario, you're left sitting in a quiet car, saddened by the fact that you failed to do more than one thing at a time...

[Chris.L @ Jan 21st 2008 8:22AM]

I can only imagine that when the kid's portable tv shuts off in the middle of their movie, the kid will be somewhat pissed, hence causing an even bigger distraction.

[robfuchs @ Jan 21st 2008 8:23AM]

Will it shut off your kids, if they become distractions?

[Ghen @ Jan 21st 2008 8:43AM]

That's a good practical use for the tentacle porn machine I've been making!

[Electromodo @ Jan 21st 2008 10:13AM]

Exactly ! It does not need to shut off GPS or iPod. Just shutting off kids will suffice!

[turn_self_off @ Jan 21st 2008 8:38AM]

now if they could just find a way to remove the driver from the look. a bit like a autopilot for cars...

[wrabbit @ Jan 21st 2008 9:27AM]

Does that include sleeping gas for the back seat, for when the kids become too loud?

[Dan @ Jan 21st 2008 9:36AM]

Evidently everybody posting to this knows exactly what a 'whip' is. Why don't you go ahead and be a real journalist and tell the rest of us what the beep a 'whip' is? I know, that would be like, professional and all. Take the medicine with the message. No more incompetent writers, please!

[That guy @ Jan 21st 2008 9:53AM]

you fail at life.

[Kurtis @ Jan 21st 2008 9:59AM]

It's a blog. If you don't like it, go away.

[beanspants @ Jan 21st 2008 12:42PM]

a 'whip' is a car dan. it's not that hard to figure out the meaning within the context of the article. it is slang for an upgraded car, filled with technology and fancy stuff.

[Sandra @ Jan 21st 2008 9:53AM]

Yet another reason to completely gut out the factory stereo system for a non-nanny-tech aftermarket unit.

[Senador @ Jan 21st 2008 12:19PM]

"in order to speed up reaction time "by as much as 100-milliseconds.""

It's too bad that extra 100-milliseconds won't help some of the drivers I've ridden with!

[majortom @ Jan 21st 2008 12:33PM]

oh what the hell, I might as well say it. The woman's head is in the normal mommy SUV position I see all to often.

[aoeu00 @ Jan 21st 2008 2:08PM]

Her arm's blocking her chest sideview...

[Rick @ Jan 21st 2008 2:28PM]

Reading the headline and then viewing the photo, I was curious to see what this dashboard did for kids and annoying pasengers. Only to find out it only turns crap off when you don't want it to.

[Russell @ Jan 21st 2008 8:17PM]

Huh?

[Bucket @ Jan 22nd 2008 11:09AM]

When 100 milliseconds becomes the difference between life and death, YOU'RE DRIVING TOO GODDAMN FAST.