Hyundai files patent for smartphone feature disabler in proximity to steering wheel
Combatting driver distraction continues to be a hot topic in automotive safety, especially when it comes to young motorists.
While simply not using a smartphone behind the wheel would fix much of the problem, automakers are trying to work out complicated ways to make people safer. For example, GM is experimenting with head and eye tracking to make sure folks are paying attention to the road. Now,Hyundai might have come up with a technology that offers a very simple fix: disable the phones.
The Korean automaker explains the idea in explicit detail in a recently published patent. The tech specifically "limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user," according to the abstract. Depending on variables like the vehicle's speed, the system determines what smartphone functions are safe to use, including texting or voice calls. Based on a plethora of permutations in the document, these restrictions could only be for the area around the driver's seat or for the whole vehicle.
The key to the patent is placing antennas around the vehicle and monitoring for cellular signals. When the system detects them, it can begin selectively deciding what features to allow on the device. The tech isn't a simple on/off switch either, and can possibly detect the time of day or importance of the caller to let messages though. The major downside to all of this is the phone would need to run a specific program or firmware for all of this to work.
With such a recently published patent, it might be years before the tech arrives in Hyundai vehicles, if at all. Still, this is an interesting solution. Of course, it would be far simpler if people just put down their phones. You can read the full description of the automaker's concept, here.
Related items
-
Volkswagen working to reduce risk of road accidents
For nearly two decades Volkswagen accident research has been working closely alongside the engineers and developers at Volkswagen to sustainably reduce the risk of accidents, providing crucial information for the development of new assistance... Read more -
DENSO provides boost for pedestrian safety
Technology to boost pedestrian safety and prevent traffic accidents at night has been developed after DENSO announced it had made significant advances to its in-vehicle vision... Read more -
Safety Ready For Impact
Here in the cavernous sled lab, staff work intensively over the cab section of a pickup truck. Window glass has been removed and the windshield has been replaced by plexiglass, but the interior is present, and a crash test dummy is belted into the seat. Angelo Adler is Senior Manager Systems Engineering at ZF TRW’s Occupant Safety Systems (OSS) test center in Washington Township, Michigan. He... Read more -
Ford unveils new driver-assist technologies
Building on its experience in available driver-assist technologies, Ford Motor Company is expanding its offerings with a range of next-generation features designed to ease parking hassles, improve collision avoidance, detect objects in the road and prevent wrong-way... Read more -
GEM: Correct tyre inflation is the safe and economical option
Road safety and breakdown recovery provider GEM Motoring Assist is supporting Tyre Safety Month with the third in a series of simple safety... Read more
social