When it comes to automobiles, I still favor analog... gauges, dials, controls. Well, I do like the fact that the radio is digital and gets the frequency dead on. But whether it is 68° or 69° doesn't really make that much difference to me; a sliding lever is fine... and easier to locate.
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U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes 'Distraction' Guidelines for Automakers
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the first-ever federally proposed guidelines to encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices. The proposed voluntary guidelines would apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices or functions that are not required to safely operate the vehicle.
In particular, the Phase I proposed guidelines released today recommend criteria that manufacturers can use to ensure the systems or devices they provide in their vehicles are less likely to distract the driver with tasks not directly relevant to safely operating the vehicle, or cause undue distraction by engaging the driver's eyes or hands for more than a very limited duration while driving. Electronic warning system functions such as forward-collision or lane departure alerts would not be subject to the proposed guidelines, since they are intended to warn a driver of a potential crash and are not considered distracting devices.
It looks as if we won't be getting that next-generation driver "cockpit." Ah, for the "good old days." I had a 1946 Plymouth like the one at the left when I was in college. It even had a transparent magenta visor and a hood vent that actually worked. It took about 2 minutes to completely familiarize oneself with the vehicle operation. That's because the starter button was separate from the key. Had to give it up with only 135,000 miles on it to go into the service. Bummer.
Now, I can't even get my iPhone to sync with my Sync. Still, I rigged a holder for my iPad on top of the dashboard in front of me so I can follow the navigation app to see where I'm going... so I'm not totally vehicle computer illiterate. I hope the Feds don't take that away from me.