The festive period is fast approaching and this Christmas many of you will be embarking on those long journeys across the country to visit close friends and family. We all know what it’s like…the long drive can be tiring with that of the early start, the screaming kids and the continuous weaving between those slow Sunday drivers. Sometimes all you want to do is sit back, relax and let the car do all the hard work. A few years ago this wouldn’t have been given a second thought but now BMW have come up with an all new exciting invention that can potentially put all your worries to one side. The BMW 5 series has a new built in technology that takes control of the wheel so that you don’t have to.
I know what you’re thinking…how on earth is that ever going to be feasible?
BMW have installed 12 sensors around the edge of the car that scan the surrounding road. All the information that these sensors collect is then sent straight to a high tech computer system in the boot of the car which processes it and sends it forward to an advanced GPS system…pretty snazzy! Once you hit the motorway all you would need to do is double click the volume button on the steering wheel and then you’re free to put your feet up!
Even the famous Jeremy Clarkson has tried and tested this exciting new piece of technology. He took a back seat while the BMW 330 took him around the Top Gear track without him even needing to lift a finger!
Don’t get too excited, this new piece of technology is still under review and as a result the car is still a long way from reaching the showrooms. But fear not…the technology has also been a successful guinea pig for future exciting driving gadgets- congestion assist and emergency stop assist. The congestion assist gadget means that your car will be able to drive itself at any speed up to 25 mph! We’ve all been there…half an hour has gone by, you’ve got cramp in your foot and you’ve still not made it through the traffic lights that are within reaching distance. Well now you can sit back, relax and nurse that cramp as the congestion assist gadget does all the hard work for you in that dreaded traffic jam. The emergency stop assist is another clever gadget that is currently under review. It is able to monitor the driver’s health and detect any serious illnesses. If detected, the car then has the ability to safely pull off the road and contact the emergency services on behalf of the driver.
Technology, especially in-car technology has come a long way in the past few decades, from the radio and cassette player to satnavs and portable DVD players. It is therefore hardly surprising to find that this futuristic technology is now in the pipe line. The concern is that this technology will simply promote lazy driving and hamper long term driving abilities. Will motorists that put their trust in this new technology automatically expose themselves to increased danger on the road, or will it help prevent human error when driving and decrease the amount of road accidents? Only time will tell, but it’s safe to say that we are entering a new era of driving and driving safety thanks to new technology like this.
Whether you’re driving or simply enjoying the view make sure that you are insured and covered! Visit eCar- an online insurance solution that allows you to manage your car insurance at a time most suited to you! Alternatively, join Jeremy Clarkson and the boys down at Top Gear Live UK the weekend of the 11th Nov and visit stall s3 to get more great deals on your car insurance. You may even be in with the chance of winning one year’s free car insurance and an iPad2!
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs.
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Tuesday 8 November 2011
Thursday 3 November 2011
Safely tweet whilst driving on the M6 - Social Media to take the next step!
Over the past few years the usuage levels of both Twitter and Facebook have increased at an exceptional rate. Facebook numbers reached a new record in 2011 with over 500 million people being registered. Twitter is expanding on a similar scale with over 140 million tweets being sent per day.
Currently many motorists, especially young motorists, are continually picking up their phone to check Facebook and Twitter whilst driving- this is not safe!
It is therefore not surprising to find that technology companies are now talking about installing a new and exciting technology for motorists - web connected entertainment. And yes, this means that motorists would have access to Facebook and Twitter while they are driving! So lets picture the scene: you’ve just got back from a fab holiday and you’re now just about to embark on the dreaded car journey home in the pouring rain. You haven’t had any contact with your friends and family all week and are dying to find out all the recent gossip that you've missed out on! I know what you’re all thinking, “Facebook and Twitter installed in my car-what a great idea!”.
So how would it all work? ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) would all work within a type of cloud platform and absolutely everything would be stored within the car itself with all the necessary controls being stored on the steering wheel!
But wait, while this may all sound very snazzy there is major concern behind the technology, especially with the increasing number of youngsters now behind the wheel. It has been argued that the installation of this new technology could potentially cause further distraction and accidents on the road.
Rick Kreifeldt, vice president of innovation and research at Harman supports the new technology and argues that the technology would not be distracting and that it is actually no different to listening to the radio whilst driving. He claims that instead this technology will get rid of any distractions and dangerous driving behavior seeing as the mobile technology is actually integrated into the car, unlike with smartphones or MP3 players.
Motorists today need to bear in mind that while this new technology is an innovative new invention that no doubt will be a big hit in the UK, it’s also paramount that when installed, motorists still give the road their full attention whilst driving in order to reduce the risk of accident! So when you’re embarking on that long boring journey home from the airport, its vital that you stay alert! Furthermore, make sure you’re fully covered. This way, motorists will be able to catch up on all the latest news and gossip safely.
Don’t be your own worst enemy, make sure you’re covered! If you’re a driver, new or old looking for an excellent quote on your car insurance, visit eCar - an online insurance provider that will let you manage your car insurance at a time convinient for you. Alternatively, get yourself down to Top Gear Live at the NEC Birmingham 11-13th November and visit the eInsurance Group exhibition stand S3 for further information on excellent insurance quotes.
Honesty is our best policy and at eCar we believe that honest drivers who tell the truth on their applications should not have to pay for the cheats that don't! eCar is promoting its Truth or Dare campaign at TGL 2011 to encourage honesty amongst drivers when applying for a quote. Furthermore, come along and visit the ‘Truth Booth’ to confess to a little secret and be in with the chance of winning a brand new iPad2! So what are you waiting for? On your marks, get set, CONFESS!
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs.
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
Currently many motorists, especially young motorists, are continually picking up their phone to check Facebook and Twitter whilst driving- this is not safe!
It is therefore not surprising to find that technology companies are now talking about installing a new and exciting technology for motorists - web connected entertainment. And yes, this means that motorists would have access to Facebook and Twitter while they are driving! So lets picture the scene: you’ve just got back from a fab holiday and you’re now just about to embark on the dreaded car journey home in the pouring rain. You haven’t had any contact with your friends and family all week and are dying to find out all the recent gossip that you've missed out on! I know what you’re all thinking, “Facebook and Twitter installed in my car-what a great idea!”.
So how would it all work? ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) would all work within a type of cloud platform and absolutely everything would be stored within the car itself with all the necessary controls being stored on the steering wheel!
But wait, while this may all sound very snazzy there is major concern behind the technology, especially with the increasing number of youngsters now behind the wheel. It has been argued that the installation of this new technology could potentially cause further distraction and accidents on the road.
Rick Kreifeldt, vice president of innovation and research at Harman supports the new technology and argues that the technology would not be distracting and that it is actually no different to listening to the radio whilst driving. He claims that instead this technology will get rid of any distractions and dangerous driving behavior seeing as the mobile technology is actually integrated into the car, unlike with smartphones or MP3 players.
Motorists today need to bear in mind that while this new technology is an innovative new invention that no doubt will be a big hit in the UK, it’s also paramount that when installed, motorists still give the road their full attention whilst driving in order to reduce the risk of accident! So when you’re embarking on that long boring journey home from the airport, its vital that you stay alert! Furthermore, make sure you’re fully covered. This way, motorists will be able to catch up on all the latest news and gossip safely.
Don’t be your own worst enemy, make sure you’re covered! If you’re a driver, new or old looking for an excellent quote on your car insurance, visit eCar - an online insurance provider that will let you manage your car insurance at a time convinient for you. Alternatively, get yourself down to Top Gear Live at the NEC Birmingham 11-13th November and visit the eInsurance Group exhibition stand S3 for further information on excellent insurance quotes.
Honesty is our best policy and at eCar we believe that honest drivers who tell the truth on their applications should not have to pay for the cheats that don't! eCar is promoting its Truth or Dare campaign at TGL 2011 to encourage honesty amongst drivers when applying for a quote. Furthermore, come along and visit the ‘Truth Booth’ to confess to a little secret and be in with the chance of winning a brand new iPad2! So what are you waiting for? On your marks, get set, CONFESS!
Visit eInsurance Group for your insurance needs.
Follow us on Twitter
Friend us on Facebook
Tune in on YouTube
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