The ability to foresee the state of freeway traffic in real-time (as opposed to snapshots of traffic conditions) seems to be the up-and-coming technology for high end iron. Both Acura and, recently, Cadillac have bundled such systems with their navigation packages, which gather their data via streaming traffic reports from detectors and cameras.IntelliOne Technologies is currently testing 'Need4Speed,' a real-time traffic monitoring system that can gather data by tracking the movements of mobile phone users within their cars. The company is creatively using the phone's constant communication with cell towers to provide up-to-the-second traffic conditions.
According to the company, Need4Speed is more accurate than current systems, refreshing every second and proving to be accurate within 3 miles. When asked about possible privacy issues, IntelliOne states that any personal ID's from the phones are removed from its system.
An innovative way to track traffic? Or a violation or privacy? Comments are open.
[Source: Fox News]
New KITT Attack Mode revealed at Comic Con
London 2008: Honda OSM concept roadster says, "Cheerio!"
London 2008: Lotus unveils the Evora
2010 Chevy Camaro - Official Details and Images
2010 Chevy Camaro - LIVE from the reveal
First Drive: Maserati Quattroporte S in Europe
First Drive: 2008 MINI Cooper S JCW
In the Autoblog Garage:2009 Nissan GT-R
North American Exclusive First Drive: Alfa MiTo
First Drive: 2009 Kia Borrego
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tomahawk @ Aug 13th 2006 12:43PM
The Patriot Act. Now there's a violation of privacy. Big Brother is watching, reading, listening, etc.
Nathan Sweeney @ Aug 13th 2006 12:46PM
How about a violation of copyright. Isn't "Need 4 Speed" a copyright of Electronic Arts?
So after years of berating drivers talking on cellphones, now we are going to encourage people to be fiddling with a cellphone app on a 2 inch screen while in heavy traffic? No thanks.
verdegrrl @ Aug 13th 2006 1:28PM
Aren't current real time in-car data reports limited to only a few cities?
AutoFan @ Aug 13th 2006 2:21PM
So, did you guys ever find a good editor? Because, y'know, he/she missed something pretty basic here.
Mark @ Aug 13th 2006 3:09PM
So, did you guys ever find a good editor? Because, y'know, he/she missed something pretty basic here."
no they found one, it's jar jar binks
Mal Fuller @ Aug 13th 2006 3:18PM
I've been getting up-to-date traffic reports electronically for decades. It's called AM radio!
Shoaib @ Aug 13th 2006 4:14PM
They started this program like 2 years ago in Ottawa, Canada.
@ Nathan Sweeney, according uspto.gov the need4speed name was trademarked by a Woodinville, Washington company A.K.A. Electronic Arts, in 2000 but was abandoned on March 8 2001, so i dont think there is a patent violation
John Brimelow @ Aug 13th 2006 4:17PM
From USPTO
Word Mark NEED4SPEED.COM
Goods and Services (ABANDONED) IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: advertising and marketing services, namely, promoting the goods and services of others by placing advertisements and promotional displays in an electronic site accessed through computer networks and by delivering advertisements and promotional materials to others via electronic mail. FIRST USE: 19991023. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19991023
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Design Search Code
Serial Number 76011478
Filing Date March 28, 2000
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Owner (APPLICANT) Need4Speed.com, Inc. CORPORATION WASHINGTON 17533 199th Place NE Woodinville WASHINGTON 98072
Attorney of Record Christopher R.M. Stanton
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator DEAD
Abandonment Date March 8, 2001
John Brimelow @ Aug 13th 2006 4:21PM
IntelliOne will feed AM Radio data that is uniquely relevant to current traffic conditions-current within 3 seconds
The technology doesn't strip individual ID information, the information is gathered via probe in the network switch after any personal information has been stripped from the information flow.
This system works anywhere there is a cell phone network.
Japanese Car Exporters @ Aug 13th 2006 5:04PM
Wow ! That's a cool feature. In Japan many of the Car Navigation systems have a built in traffic report which guide the driver alternate paths in the case traffic jams. Most drivers also rely on the radio messages. Recently some mobile phones in Japan have navigational facilities too, but none of the mobile makers have come up with the traffic reports here.
Tom @ Aug 14th 2006 1:27AM
I think this is great. As long as they don't charge to much for the service. In fact the city should have it free for all drivers. This way a lot of people can avoid back up's and maybe traffic problems won't be so many.
Tom
Aaron @ Aug 14th 2006 1:26PM
Google already has a (free) application that you can download to your mobile phone. You'll need to have internet access but it works well considering the cost. You can also use its standard mapping features.
Find it at: http://www.google.com/gmm
Ryan @ Aug 14th 2006 7:44PM
TrafficGauge sell a handheld devices that delivers traffic flow data to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. A downloadable PC application is also availalbe for about a dozen other cities. See www.trafficgauge.com. IntelliOne data will be great for these types of applications. TrafficGauge users save about 8 hours a month by outsmarting traffic.