Satellite navigation systems to be made 'more realistic'

[victor]

Satellite navigation systems to be made 'more realistic'


Calm delivery of accurate information unnerves experienced motorists

by Flash Gorman

Manufacturers of in-car satellite navigation systems have responded to
requests to modify the manner in which their systems operate. A typical "Sat
Nav" system has a computerised voice that calmly informs the driver which
way to turn on the approach to a junction. Whilst this might seem ideal, it
transpires that such automated perfection does not work in the real world.

Married drivers, in particular, find it difficult to adjust to using the
systems. Veteran driver Bob, from Coventry, summed up the situation. "I just
can't get used to being told which turn to take before I actually reach the
junction. My wife usually does the navigation for me and she always tells me
to turn just after we've passed the junction. It's also a bit unnerving that
it doesn't get increasingly irritated with me as the journey progresses."

Mindful of such criticisms, a new system was unveiled by Ford at the recent
UK Motor Show. Called "SatNag", this system professes to give a "real world
navigation" experience and includes a number of innovative features. The
first thing the driver will notice is that they have a choice of navigation
personalities. These include: "Had an argument last night", "Hopeless at
directions" and "Didn't want to come out in the car in the first bloody
place".

The driver will also be to select the level of anticipation present in the
system. This will dictate the amount of violent braking required to make a
requested manoeuvre and can even be set to miss every other turn.

To round things off, the system can be pre-programmed to "flare up" and
refuse to give any further directions. In the deluxe model the system can
actually get sufficiently irritated to shut down and refuse to
come back up again despite extended pleading from the driver.

[Ms. Piggy]

Love it!

[TonyPSchaefer]

...but can it provide a quick breath of anticipation when it senses heavy braking. And does it sense speed and provide feedback such as, "we're in no hurry."?

[Charles Suitt]

OR.... as (in the wrong lane) you pass the intersection, she shouts "TURN!"

You ask: "Which Way??" - too late, anyhow.

Could tne "new" technology be programmed to do this, then half a block later say "You missed the turn. Now you'll have to turn around and go back!"

SIGH..... Things could get TOO realistic.