The existence of this category demonstrates that current turn signal methods are inaccurate. One problem is the general nature of turn signals - either "I'm going somewhere to the right of me" or the opposite. This is a problem when there are more than two options.
The device is a fairly bright laser that traces a curve on the road. This curve indicates the intended path of the driver. The curve is set by the driver tracing out their desired path on a piece of touch-sensitive glass positioned between the driver and the steering wheel.-- Worldgineer, Mar 25 2004 Picture http://www.geocitie.../HB/curvylaser.html [Worldgineer, Oct 21 2004] Cooperative Navigation http://www.halfbake...ommunicating_20Cars [theircompetitor, Oct 21 2004] If there's a car in front of you it would get vaporized by your laser.-- AO, Mar 25 2004 Yes, that's another advantage. You need the optional nuclear power supply for that feature to really be effective.-- Worldgineer, Mar 25 2004 I think I would rather use something like the linked idea and display the potential path of the car in front.
Granted, the assumption would have to be that people are actually following the navigation steps-- theircompetitor, Mar 25 2004 I don't understand how that would work. How would you know the //potantial path of the car in front//? Some kind of heads up display? What if someone doesn't have one of these devices? I think a laser's easier, and every driver has the right equipment to view the signal.-- Worldgineer, Mar 25 2004 Assuming both drivers have navigation systems and a means of communication between them, then my navigation system could also have a section of the screen devoted to the immediate path being taken by the driver in front.
This would help not only in the scenario you describe but also in the "my god, the old guy is getting off in 30 exits and he's going 55mph, I better change lanes"-- theircompetitor, Mar 25 2004 That is a really novel idea. It could even project its intended directions on the car infront of it. Or the rear view mirrors. +-- sartep, Mar 25 2004 [tc] Your idea is different from mine and I don't like it. (interface issues, communication issues, safety issues, etc.) Please create your own idea if you want to continue discussion.-- Worldgineer, Mar 26 2004 I didn't think it was worthy of a separate idea given the one in the link.-- theircompetitor, Mar 26 2004 [Worldg], I like the Curvy Laser, but would we have to draw and drive? I mean, what if the laser adapted to what you do anyway? If you have your right signal on, but you are veering left, the Curvy Signal, if it sensed wheel direction, could display the appropriate path, it seems to me, as well as I could draw it, or better. I imagine the image on the road would be a symbol of what you intend anyway, rather than attempting to trace an exact path on the road.-- oxen crossing, Mar 26 2004 I'm picturing it being set up such that you draw the intended line, and through a bit of intellegent software your car continues displaying your line in about the same position. This way, if you draw your line to the right and veer a little bit left your line is still drawn from your car to the road on the right, rather than the sidewalk.-- Worldgineer, Mar 26 2004 random, halfbakery