no ads here. there is a brief discussion of the 'convergence 2004' conference. one issue mentioned is the convergence of cars and robotics/electronics, stating that vehicals are 'evolv{ing} control systems similar to autopilot on an airplane'. This involves not only 'brake by wire', where anit-skid systems rely on a microcontroller which controlls the application of brake pads rather than a direct mechanical chain from the pedal, but also drive by wire, with engine throttle controlled in a similar way, as well as potentially steer by wire. the author thinks this final development will mean that cars aren't 'stray{ing} far from a semi-autonomous, digitally-controlled robot. the conference apparently had a display of infrared night vision, which could be used in cars for applications such as reversing at night, as well as a new in-car display system, allowing any screen in the car to acces any channel, so each could do something different, or all could do the same thing (be it gaming, looking at navigation, or watching a movie). there are also two video cameras located indide the car that can be watched, allowing parents to monitor their kids or vice versa.

there is another short piece about an interview with bill gates and the chairman of ford motor company, where gates proposed that one of the goals of automakers should be to make cars that will not allow themselves to crash. microsoft has a 'performance peak initiative' which is 'a line of computer systems to help the auto industry better coordinate supply chains, streamline design, production and sales, and fill vehicles with computer gadgets'. ford's chairman said that 'high-definition screens, speech recognition technology, cameras, digital calenders, and navigation equipment with directions and road conditions will set car companies apart form their competitors'.

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