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automated rally driver

 a drive-by-wire system for your car that pushes it to the limit
 
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Ordinary mortals can't push a car round corners as fast as rally drivers like Colin McRae can. That's because they don't teach you how to control skids. However, it's totally possible to teach a computer how to do it (ABS etc are a step in this direction) so theoretically you could create a drive-by-wire system for cars that integrates this knowledge.

You point (using a finger-mounted 3d sensor) to indicate which way you want to go, and the system floors it to take you there at the highest speed possible, with the maximum possible skid. There'd need to be a "stop" button of course.

Note that this doesn't need any "road-sensing" AI type stuff since you're "steering" it.

—bumhat, Sep 09 2002

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       It doesn't need any 'road sensing' AI huh? I know what you are getting at, but I think that would have to be a requirement for a power slide round a corner. Contrary to my friends comments, I am not a rally driver but to correctly get power slide around a corner the car must be 'set up' well before the corner.   

       If you aren't at the right speed, no amount of suped up ABS or power steering can save you. The computer could react pretty well to the skid, but it might not stay in the driving line - or on the road for that matter. I think it needs to know about any skidding shenanigans in advance.
—Jinbish, Sep 10 2002
   

       I've driven a rally car. The whole point of it is the frisson of bowel-emptying terror resulting from the fact you can get it wrong, and sometimes nearly do..... why bother if you've made it "safe" ? You might as well go on a rollercoaster ride, which I find boring because - despite the G-forces - you know you're in no actual danger. But then I guess I'm just an adrenalin junkie. There's no enjoyment if the danger to life and limb isn't real.
—8th of 7, Sep 10 2002
   

       Practice by playing V-Rally 2 for hours on end. This will give you a really good feel for driving technique, and then you can gradually build up speed in real life.   

       I don't have a car, but using this technique I've certainly pushed my mum's Metro City to its limits round Eastbourne "Special Stage 2" (the Shinewater estate). I even experimented with my mum as co-driver, but instead of saying stuff like "fast left 30 over crest" as instructed, she just kept telling me to stop the car.
—sild, Sep 10 2002
   

       sild: Mothers are like that <sigh>   

       <Leon Kowalski> My mother? Let me tell you about my mother .... </Leon Kowalski>
—8th of 7, Sep 10 2002
   


 

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