Design Article
Top 10 automotive electronics stories of 2012
Brian Fuller
12/17/2012 8:00 PM EST
Driverless cars
One of the most amazing stories in automotive electronics arrived almost out of the blue: autonomous vehicles. In the grand technological scheme of things, it's been a complete and utter surprise and represents a stunning disruption of conventional wisdom--all while it leverages affordable, here-now electronics technology.
In February, Nevada announced regulations for self-driving cars; California followed suit with legislation that paves the way to making it easier for autonomous vehicles to operate on Golden State roads.
Google's driverless car started making headlines in 2011 during field tests, and reportedly the car was involved in just two accidents in more than 100,000 miles of driving--both incidents due to human error.
The beauty of driverless systems is that the technology exists today, with elements such as back-up cameras, radar and sensors already common features in many contemporary vehicle models.
Technologist, educator and writer Vivek Wadhwa says the impact of driverless cars on our world will be profound and far-reaching: "It changes urban planning forever." Parking is pushed to less-expensive, outer-ring portions of densely populated cities because you can send your car out to park once you've stepped out and summon it back. Need to grab a cup of coffee? Pop out of your car and have it drive around the block until you're ready.
Next: Connected cars
One of the most amazing stories in automotive electronics arrived almost out of the blue: autonomous vehicles. In the grand technological scheme of things, it's been a complete and utter surprise and represents a stunning disruption of conventional wisdom--all while it leverages affordable, here-now electronics technology.
In February, Nevada announced regulations for self-driving cars; California followed suit with legislation that paves the way to making it easier for autonomous vehicles to operate on Golden State roads.
Google's driverless car started making headlines in 2011 during field tests, and reportedly the car was involved in just two accidents in more than 100,000 miles of driving--both incidents due to human error.
The beauty of driverless systems is that the technology exists today, with elements such as back-up cameras, radar and sensors already common features in many contemporary vehicle models.
Technologist, educator and writer Vivek Wadhwa says the impact of driverless cars on our world will be profound and far-reaching: "It changes urban planning forever." Parking is pushed to less-expensive, outer-ring portions of densely populated cities because you can send your car out to park once you've stepped out and summon it back. Need to grab a cup of coffee? Pop out of your car and have it drive around the block until you're ready.
California Gov. Jerry Brown (far left) with Google founder Sergey Brin (dark glasses) and an unidentified man next to a driverless car.
Next: Connected cars
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GREAT-Terry
12/17/2012 9:50 PM EST
EV and driverless are good trend and opportunities for electronics!
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Brian Fuller2
12/19/2012 12:36 PM EST
What would readers add to the list? Let us know!
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EdA_#1
1/2/2013 8:41 AM EST
I'd say the Tesla Model S winning Motor Trend COTY would be my #1. Perhaps that makes the 2013 list?
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oemcargps
1/26/2013 2:30 AM EST
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crisslo
2/4/2013 9:48 PM EST
Back in 1960, when I was a young EE, I was told then there was a great more energy storage capability in a tablespoon of gasoline than in a typical car lead acid battery.
Question to anyone out there. Where are we now as to the gasoline tablespoon vs the car lead acid battery?
To me that is the bottom line as to 100% electric cars ---- the batteries. So far I am for the hybrid approach for electric cars.
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