Media of all sorts are abuzz over Ford's recently revealed plan to put what it calls "driver connect" technology -- i.e., a computer with a couple of 4-inch screens -- right in the dashboard of its new models beginning as early as this year. This technology promises to integrate a lot of existing dashboard functions through voice commands, while also adding others such as GSP and even the ability to watch movies in the front seat. The company says some of these functions would be disabled while driving.
I applaud Ford's reclaiming a mantle of innovative thinking in the U.S. auto industry; it's great that the company seems to be shaping its own future without the need of a government bail-out. But the obvious point they're missing here is:
This is a bad idea, guys!
The first thing that occurs to any objective observer is that this is a big safety problem. Drivers are distracted enough; it's far too common these days to be behind or next to a driver that can't seem to stay in his lane, or slows down inexplicably in traffic, or sits obliviously at a light that turned green 30 seconds ago. These people are on the phone; they are dangerous; and they don't need more distractions, especially in the front seat.
Let's be open-minded: As noted, Ford says "some" functions would be disabled unless the car is in park. That's certainly a plus. Let's hope, for example, that the driver can't watch a DVD, or the television broadcast of today's football game, while actually driving. Still, I'm pretty certain that not enough functions will be disabled. To combine certain functions into voice commands, rather than dashboard buttons, might provide a very minor improvement in overall safety. But it's been demonstrated in many studies (and it's also just plain common sense) that the issue in distraction is not whether your hands are occupied elsewhere, but whether your mind is.
Ford could make a strongly positive contribution if all the functions people now seem to expect to do in a moving vehicle (GPS, telephone, and the outlet that runs plug-in electrical gadgets) were disabled when the vehicle is moving. That would remove a lot of distraction -- remember that advice, to use the phone, pull over and stop? As an alternative, large flashing warning lights on the outside of the car would be a big help whenever these features are being used: "Caution! Distracted Driver!" But I doubt Ford will do either, because no one would buy the car if they did.
That's the second reason this is a bad idea. It just doesn't seem to be attractive technology in today's marketplace. With smart phones everywhere and Apple set to unveil an iTablet, why will people want to use a system that's rooted in their car, rather than one they can use in the car, and also take with them to the office, and home? Regardless of any safety issues, this seems to me to be the big "if" that will determine whether the "driver connect" concept becomes a Mustang or an Edsel.
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