No, I'm not going to list all the things that are wrong with us.
But this one is a doozy. At a time when the American automobile industry is on the verge of collapse, when the Big3 have failed miserably to develop and market fuel efficient cars, what have they been developing?
Ford Motor Co. today proudly announced a new break-through technology: The Car That Parks Itself. I'm not kidding. The technology uses ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear of the vehicle, combined with electric power steering to angle and guide it into a snug parking space -- all with the push of a button.
Of course, parallel parking is a challenge, and it might be nice to have this luxury. But that's what it is, a luxury. It's not going to save Detroit, nor our economy, nor our endangered planet.
Proudly announcing this bauble for the rich, instead of some break-through in fuel efficiency, seems about as dumb as flying to Washington in a private jet to beg for money.
"Let them eat cake," she said. Remember how that story ends?
Our cherished American priority of expensive non-essentials over useful necessities reminds me of an apocryphal story from the days of the U.S.-Russia space race. It seems there was a problem of ball point pens not working in gravity-free space. So the Americans spent millions of dollars and after several years developed a ball point pen that would write in zero gravity, in all temperatures, and upside down.
Meanwhile, the Russian astronauts simply used a pencil.
Ralph
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I agree that the expense of developing a 'park itself' car is a luxury, but I must admit that I would welcome having one. I have no idea how much gas I've wasted driving around the block trying to find a space on the end to avoid banging into someone's auto. When I lived on Long Island many years ago, I was given my driver's license on the condition that I wouldn't parallel park!
ReplyDeletesylvia
I agree that the 'park itself' aspect of the car is a luxury, but I can see where it has implications for public safety. This could be the first step in developing a technology that could eventuate in sensors being designed that would allow cars to avoid collisions with other automobiles. So it might be a worthwhile area to explore.
ReplyDeleterichard
Any other time, I would agree with you both. Just as the space program has led to technology development that has vast uses.
ReplyDeleteMy point was that, at this particular time of economic disaster and environmental/energy crisis, this is the wrong thing to be spending research dollars on. And, even if it's been in the works for years and just got perfected, it's a dumb timing for the announcement.