future of the car (NAC)

[urquattro]

> Anybody out there know of any links to cool sites or publications that
> discuss the future of the car?  I'm interested specifically in what future
> cars will include, such as hybrid and dual engine systems and the joystick
> controller that BMW, I believe, is currently testing as a replacement for
> that nasty old steering wheel.

... I would imagine a web search via dogpile or equiv would find something.
One place to look is at the websites of the companies that supply the
automotive industry ... Bosch, VDO, etc.

I saw a report on the joystick controller in a car ... I thought it was a
MBz, but it might have been BMW ... they said that the controller did not
give the same sort of feedback that a steering wheel did and it was
difficult for even accomplished drivers to become accustomed to.  Perhaps if
you started a new generation of drivers with that sort of a control system
they might be able to use them, but I believe that the steering wheel is
here to stay.  The changes in the industry are likely to be more mundane
items, like things that improve the efficiency and reduce pollution or allow
packing more people per mile of roadway.  I guess the thing that worries me
the most is the concept of the "intelligent highway" ... which may be a lot
closer than people think ...

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)