http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060108/tc_nm/autos_show_entertainment_dc

To some young drivers, a car that's also a video-game system may sound like a dream come true -- or so Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. (7201.T) hopes with a new concept car aimed at gamers.

Nissan's Urge sports car, introduced at the North American International Auto Show here this week, is a prototype where the steering wheel and pedals become game controllers when the car is still. The mirror conceals a small flip-down screen. The dashboard conceals a Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT - news) game console.

Note, right away they point out that the system only works when the car is still... but the article goes on to mention multi person playing and exotic music and entertainment systems.

What ever happened to "keeping ones mind on the road?"

What does post this have to do with cycling advocacy... it points out that more and more drivers have the potential for more and more distractions on the road, which is bad for any and all users of the road... especially those not protected by a steel cage and air bags.

$4 per gallon gas can't come soon enough.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060108/tc_nm/autos_show_entertainment_dc



Note, right away they point out that the system only works when the car is still... but the article goes on to mention multi person playing and exotic music and entertainment systems...And how long before some aftermarket company produces software that disables the "only works when car is still" feature?

Is there any correlation between reckless, cavalier driving and the playing of "Grand Theft Auto" and other games which trivialize the impact of a collision?

And how long before some aftermarket company produces software that disables the "only works when car is still" feature?

An exploit to do so probably already exists. The next big thing will be tying the controls of the vehicle into the games. Makes my teen days of drag/rat racing to rock-n-roll seem kinda tame.

And how long before some aftermarket company produces software that disables the "only works when car is still" feature?
I don't know. Do you know? How long?

Is there any correlation between reckless, cavalier driving and the playing of "Grand Theft Auto" and other games which trivialize the impact of a collision?
I don't know. Do you? Is there any correlation?

Is there any correlation between reckless, cavalier driving and the playing of "Grand Theft Auto" and other games which trivialize the impact of a collision?

I can't say that I've been trying to run my Civic into other cars, pedestrians, or cyclists as of late, so I guess not.

So how many points do you get for running over a cyclist?

now, anyone who knows me knows I love videogames... probably one of my favorite pasttimes/hobbies ever

BUT...

PLAYING VIDEOGAMES WHILE DRIVING?! WTF MAN. COME ON NOW.

I for one will keep playing my videogames in the comfort of my room, and concentrating on the road when I am driving

It is my belief that while many people claim to love cars and driving, they'd really rather be doing anything but driving. In reality they just like the idea of driving. A couple of years ago, Ford demonstrated a minivan with a built-in washer/dryer set along with a fridge and oven.

"I didn't see the cyclist because I was busy rebalancing my laundry."

And how long before some aftermarket company produces software that disables the "only works when car is still" feature?
A commercial operation probably won't, unless they want to be sued into oblivion, Mothers Against Driving and Gaming, ect.
But the way "rice racers" are constantly tinkering with Jap sports cars, trying to squeeze more HP out of it, not to mention pirate computer hackers and game console modders, it won't be long before an underground hack to drive with the gaming system active hits the streets. Carmegadden for real! Where can I get me some surplus military grade body armor that breathes? I get the feeling it'll come in handy. :eek:

It is my belief that while many people claim to love cars and driving, they'd really rather be doing anything but driving. In reality they just like the idea of driving. A couple of years ago, Ford demonstrated a minivan with a built-in washer/dryer set along with a fridge and oven.

"I didn't see the cyclist because I was busy rebalancing my laundry."

They already have those. They are called RV's. Why did Ford feel the need to re-invent the wheel?

Is there any correlation between reckless, cavalier driving and the playing of "Grand Theft Auto" and other games which trivialize the impact of a collision?
About the same as it making people go on killing sprees through the city. :rolleyes:

$4 per gallon gas can't come soon enough.
Just out of curiosity did you think about economic implications of your suggestion?
Somehow I seriously doubt it.

Just out of curiosity did you think about economic implications of your suggestion?
Somehow I seriously doubt it.

But the free market will........

Just out of curiosity did you think about economic implications of your suggestion?
Somehow I seriously doubt it.

But the free market will........

Ayup. Them dead dinosaurs are a finite resource that's being piddled away in the tanks of cars. Now China wants to be drowning in out of control traffic troubles just like America. What does 'peak oil' mean to you? Keep thinking it's inexaustible, and be surprised when gas prices are more than the price of the car.
Car culture, the big rude awakening is coming...
IMHO, it's not coming soon enough.

Is there any correlation between reckless, cavalier driving and the playing of "Grand Theft Auto" and other games which trivialize the impact of a collision?

I'd be willing to guess that there isn't.

The thing about violent games like Grand Theft Auto or first-person shooters is that they let their players vent aggression and "do" things they would not ordinarily do, be it carjack passers-by and shoot prostitutes or lurk around in a dungeon exploding demons and orcs.

It's not so much different from putting on loud music and beating the hell out of a sofa cushion or going to a concert and throwing yourself to the mercies of the mosh pit, or getting off work and running until you puke. Displacement activity. Catharsis.

MOST sane, adult people know there is a <i>huge</i> difference between some shoot-em-up videogame and real life. Some stuff in videogames is just plain physically impossible. See Lara Croft. Some things in video games just plain don't exist. See World of Warcraft. Some things in videogames are just plain illegal. See Grand Theft Auto.

When all's said and done, for the vast majority of gamers, videogames are pretty harmless. Yeah, they are sedentary and can be rather addictive, but there's a lot worse things a person could be doing.

They already have those. They are called RV's. Why did Ford feel the need to re-invent the wheel?

Do you really have to ask that question? Afterall, you're a cyclist. You've seen the "innovations in cycling". It's all about marketting strategy. Everybody does it everywhere. ;)