Readers of the New York Times were shocked – shocked – by a January 7 article headlined “Despite Risks, Internet Creeps Onto Car Dashboards.” Most of the nearly 500 Times readers who posted comments on the paper’s Web site voiced outrage that the automotive industry, in its greed and stupidity (paraphrasing here), would have the audacity to offer such disastrous wares when so much attention is already being paid to distracted driving. Outrageous.
Were Ford, Audi, and the suppliers quoted in the article expecting this?
A surprising (to me, at least) number of readers fumed that laws should be passed immediately to ban this so-called “infotainment” technology, and that car companies should be made liable for any damages caused by connected drivers. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood believes that the auto industry is “on the wrong track,” according to the article, and he intends to speak out against the idea that manufacturers are “going to load automobiles up with all kinds of ways to be distracted.”
The online version of the article was accompanied by video narrated by the reporter while he was driving. A few readers commented on the irony of the reporter frequently taking his eyes off the road in order to make eye contact with a front seat passenger. Indeed there are all kinds of ways to be distracted.
Preparing RecommendationsThis is not to make light of distracted driving, nor to deny that wireless technology can be distracting, but are automakers and suppliers being irresponsible by developing infotainment and telematics technology – allowing people to be connected in their cars as they are everywhere else? It’s a valid topic for discussion, but the impression I have is that the industry is working hard to minimize distraction while improving driver convenience and comfort. Perhaps I’m just drinking the industry kool aid, but in my opinion this is another example of automotive electrical and electronic design engineers getting a bum rap. Your thoughts?
John Day recently launched John Day’s Automotive Electronics News
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2 Comments on this Post
Commented on 6:16 PM, Jan 9, 2010
By Wes Sherwood
Commented on 4:19 PM, Feb 3, 2010
By Paul Leroux at QNX
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