Mexico developing 'smart' speed bumps to increase safety, decrease fuel consumption

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:33:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology

Speed bumps are the bane of many an urban driver all around the world. We understand that the little protrusions were first installed to promote safety by getting drivers to slow down in congested areas, but we can't be the only ones that think the dang things have been getting out of hand as of late. Such is apparently the case in Toluca, Mexico, where a company called Decano Industries is working on a new smart speed bump that may both increase safety and decrease fuel consumption. Wait... smart speed bump?

Apparently, Decano's innovative devices measure the force of impact from an oncoming vehicle and immediately collapse if the car is traveling the speed limit or below. If a car is moving too fast, the speed bump stays in place, causing the familiar jarring impact we've all come to know and loathe. The government of Mexico City sees enough promise in the technology that its providing grant money to the company and helping get the system patented.

There's more on the line than just controlling speed. A 2006 study by Mexico City Autonomous University found that the constant acceleration and deceleration caused by speed bumps actually causes more pollutants and increases fuel consumption. A slow and steady speed would be much more environmentally friendly. In this instance, it would seem that dumber drivers equals smarter speed bumps. Who knew?

[Source: USA Today | Image: Flickr/boulanger.iE via C.C. 2.0]

Mexico developing 'smart' speed bumps to increase safety, decrease fuel consumption originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DECANO self-adhesive sunroof doesn't let the sun shine in

John Neff — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Not all of us can afford to check the option box for a sunroof when buying a new car, but thanks to a guy and his dream, the days of cruising with unadorned sheetmetal over your head are over, even for the cheapest tight wads among us. The DECANO self-adhesive sunroof is a miracle of technology that's comprised of a "series of flexible laminated layers, weatherproofed and framed with a self-adhesive tape." When affixed to the roof of your car, you'll be known around town as the guy with enough bucks to buy a sunroof. The public will never know your sunroof is actually a giant black sticker with a frame around it. Yes, you can fool them all, but the question is whether your integrity and standing in the community is worth $25 plus $6 shipping and handling.

This candidate for Invention of the Year is available on eBay, which fortunately gives buyers the ability to ask this inventor some questions about his self-adhesive sunroof. Below is perhaps the best one, and the rest you can read, no, you have to read (they're that funny), after the jump.

You know, the '99 Alero doesn't have a some roof. It will soon!

Q: My car does not have an anti lock braking system - i am interested in an abs light for my dash - i cannot afford nor am i interested in the actual braking benefits of an abs system - i am solely interested in tricking people into thinking my car is safer than it is. do you or are you looking into prototyping this product - it seems like its up your alley.
A: We are working on new ideas, thank you.

Thanks for the tip, Brent!

[Source: eBay via Mustang Evolution]

Continue reading DECANO self-adhesive sunroof doesn't let the sun shine in

DECANO self-adhesive sunroof doesn't let the sun shine in originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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