Regular Cars Getting Black Boxes?

[Shipkiller]

Black box flight recorders are common on airplanes but what about in your next car? Other than trouble codes and such, why would your car have to record and store how you drive unless it was to use it against you at a later date? Maybe I’m just paranoid but I don't like it, do you?

Florida attorney Scott Weires was eagerly awaiting delivery of his new Nissan GT-R. But in late August, Weires canceled his order--not because he doesn't want the $82,000 Super Silver supercar he has lusted for since it was first unveiled as a concept seven years ago. Weires says he's uncomfortable with the fact that every GT-R has a recording device strapped to its chassis, an electronic black box that monitors how each owner drives his or her GT-R.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080924/FREE/809189970/1506/

 

[gannet]

I'm with you shipkiller, wouldn't be a fan :thumbsdown:

 

[Shipkiller]

If you read the Autoweek article, it states that German car makers are VERY reluctant to do this...

I guess we are safe for now with our BMW's....

 

[WLH]

Most if not all GM car including the Corvette contain this technology...
BMW does not because of mainly strict German privacy laws...

 

[gannet]

lets hope so...

drive it like you stole it

 

[2dogs]

I'm with you shipkiller, wouldn't be a fan :thumbsdown:

Iv seen shipkiller driving at HC i understand his Concerns

But NO to it.....

 

[Shipkiller]

Just wait until you get your ///M.... Then we will talk about concerns.....

 

[RustyZ4]

The thing to not forget, if somebody wants to pull ifo off your car, speeds etc, they can do that now!!! its called your on board computer.

 

[Shipkiller]

I don't have the trip computer.... :evil:

 

[pvr]

oh yes you do ... it is all there, just needs to be read out

During my satnav retrofit project I found all sorts of interesting stuff in there, including the G-force reading. If you have a satnav screen, you can still get that afterwards by doing a certain key combo.

I know you don't have the satnav screen ship, but the data will still be there to read out via the bus ...

 

[WaZZZZman]

I will bet it is coming from the insurance industry. People will not like it, and try to avoid it. Then they will either say we will cut the rate for cars with one in it. Or even worse raise your rate if you have a new car without it. I don’t think we need it, but take that and $4.00 and buy yourself a cup of coffee.

 

[Jas667]

I dont think car manufacturers will go for it if there is any hint of governments moving towards using it for convictions for speeding etc. I for one would def not buy an M and def not a faster car if I knew I was unable to enjoy it properly on a quiet, twistie road!

 

[timscuba]

They talked about this a few years ago. This is the first I have heard of it again. I for one am not for it. Like WaZZZZman said the insurance company will have a way to get more money out of us. :thumbsdown:

 

[pmeloche]

This begs the question: Why are the black boxes orange? :idunno:

 

[ovrkll]

Easier to find in all the wreckage, is the reason they are orange (with white reflective tape). No idea why it is called a "black" box though :idunno:

 

[gannet]

Easier to find in all the wreckage, is the reason they are orange (with white reflective tape). No idea why it is called a "black" box though :idunno:

Probably something to do with the computer term 'Black box' testing - testing something works without knowing how it does it, and not being able to change anything without talking to the designers...