A mechanical engineer at Yale University invented a vibrating seat aimed to help reduce the number of car wrecks that occur every day in the U.S. The device would start vibrating if a vehicle enters your blind spot. This could reduce car crashes caused by a loss of situational awareness or distraction, according to MSNBC.com.
The system is designed to use vibrating cell phone motors and other actuators embedded in the seat, which would vibrate on you very lightly for the entire trip. When a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle moves behind or beside your vehicle, sensors send a message to the seat that increases the vibrating on that side of the seat. For example, if another vehicle pulls alongside the rear-right side, the lower-right of the seat will vibrate.
This is an interesting invention that has the potential to combat distracted and careless driving. There have been a myriad of technological innovations aimed at cutting down on preventable car wrecks. For example, Illume Software recently produced an iPhone application that blocks texting, calling and web browsing while driving, according to Technewsdaily.com.
Let us hope these safe driving inventions catch on. Earl estimates show that 33,963 people were killed in car wrecks in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This number needs to go down. That is far too many lives lost on our roads and highways.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm (NC-VA law offices ) edits the injury law blogs Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, Virginia Beach Injuryboard, and Norfolk Injuryboard as a pro bono service to consumers.
PA
One Comment
Mike Bryant
Interesting that the vibration would be directed that way. Seems like more collisions are rearend or head on. But, it is a safety measure that should help. People using their mirrors better would also make a difference.
Comments for this article are closed.