Of course, as any youngster might, I wished them to be real – to be able to talk to my car, push a few buttons and light up the built-in TV screens, heck, even have a ‘live’ rolling map … just what wonders would await us in the future?
A great many of these sci-fi wonders are now upon us: we’re on the edge of full autonomy, we have full HD screens, TVs, satnav, Wi-Fi connectivity, and interior ‘mood’ lighting for ambience. What a time to be alive.
When good tech goes bad
For that age is also upon us.
We recently told you about plans to have Intelligent Speed Assist fitted to all new cars from 2022, and how those systems will interact with our driving, physically altering our behaviour and driving style, all in the name of safety.
In that article, I made the point how companies, or the authorities, could use such technology to monitor and report our movements and behaviours, how it’s possible that tracking technology may be used against us, and that really, it’s an infringement on our civil liberties.
EU Council
Currently, a great many new cars are technically capable of doing such, even without the driver’s knowledge, and just this last week, Mercedes-Benz has come under fire for using just this sort of technology in all their new and used vehicles sold through their official dealer network.
Mercedes say that they don’t use real-time analytics, but that all their cars are fitted with tracking devices which can be switched on remotely, in the event of the owner failing to keep to a finance agreement, and details can be shared with a third party, such as a bailiff or recovery company.
While their customers may not know anything about it and disagree vehemently, it’s all in the small print when signing up for finance; the terms and conditions include a clause on ‘vehicle location sensors’.
Other brands
BMW have been a little more coy – they’ve absolutely denied sharing any tracking data with third parties, but haven’t denied collecting it. Honda do have the technology installed in their CR-V, but insist that it can only be activated by the driver, in case of an emergency situation. Suzuki are looking at plans to offer something similar next year.
Brexit isn’t a cure
And it continues … the black boxes used with such tech are just part of the suite of features that could be implemented – the intelligent speed assist is definitely happening, but there’s also talk of the boxes being linked to pre-wired in-car breathalysers, reporting tech for irresponsible driving, and of course, speed detection and reporting.
It would seem that the age of technology is here, but rather than improve our lives, it will be used as a larger stick to make us comply with the ever increasing and absurd motoring laws that at best, are draconian and unforgiving. Think of it in terms of a ‘safety’ camera – no judgement, no consideration of circumstance, nothing other than “You’ve broken the law, you will pay”.
It’s easy revenue generation, and if there’s one thing we know about ‘the government’ (whoever that may be), fleecing motorists seems to be their sport, so you can guarantee this will happen.
It is high time there was a motorist’s governmental body which has to fight the motorist corner to ensure these obvious money making and privacy robbing practices are stamped out before they even start.
I can see police ‘bluetoothing’ your data as they sit behind you then switching you off so they can pull you in . Or will that even happen , just charge you remotely and drive past. Data collection is already being rolled out for emissions so its only a matter of time before the rest follows. What speed were you doing 3 months ago at which GPS coordinates.
No thanks , I’ll be hanging on to my old car and pre ECU bike as long as possible.
Not many people are aware but with new trucks fitted with smart tachographs the DVSA can remotely check the tacho and if there are any infringements just send a penalty notice to the driver.
This was bound to happen. There should have been a commity organised a while ago. So it is no suprise that it is happening. But what to do that is the question???? A new gadget there always seems to be an answer..don’t know where from time will tell!!!!!@
I’m guessing that, in the future, there won’t be too many brand-new supercars sold in Europe. Only a multi-millionaire or a complete moron (sometimes, they are one and the same) would buy such a vehicle, and be happy to pootle up and down the motorways at a maximum speed of 70mph.
yet another spy set up that has taken over all our lives. we think we are a free country, but we are more spied on then the likes of N Korea.
You can be sure that the first to jump on this technology will be the insurance companies.
Stupid EU rules and regulations once again ,The EU just wants to control every thing in our lives and have started to already
Whilst I agree that: Texting (so many young drivers), Talking on the mobile held to the ear, Under the influence of drink or drugs, Speeding of any kind in built up area’s, should not take place, there are those times that an experienced driver will tell you that the short burst of speed helped prevent an accident that would have occurred had they not speeded up.
I had an incident where a police car was approaching me from behind far too fast and because of the other vehicles around me, had I not speeded up I would have been hit by the Police car. So the little black box installed recorded my infringement but not why. I get the fine and the Police car driver goes scott free because of my forward thinking and awareness.
It’s the same where all these agencies are becoming reliant on technology. Take away the human element and you take away common sense.
And of course God forbid that they these agencies are all using Microsoft Windows based technology: the most HACKED technology in the world! The criminals will hack in and remove their infringements. The rest of will just have to pay up. Isn’t this currently called Ransomeware?
As usual the stupid politicians should be done away with. We don’t need their moronic ideas. Could they be relaced with robots programmed to do what we want. We don’t want our cars to be bugged, or spied upon. Don’t buy any new cars from now on, and they are too expensive anyway.
This will cripple manufacturers and loose jobs in the short term, until the idiots can be got rid of..
To be fair to Merc the this feature is very useful both in the event of a breakdown /accident and in monitoring the position of your car when it is left for any length of time.
Also pretty good for finding it in some of the huge carparks at airports and cruise terminals.
Now had two Mercs with this feature and been made aware of the installation from purchase
This is a total disregard of our civil liberty. I for one will not be buying another new car with this technology. I will just keep my reasonably new car for as long as possible and will also ensure that my 1990 classic car is kept in perfect condition so that I can continue to use that. Naturally,the powers that be will soon ban these also.
We have some of the safest roads in Europe and thank god the Germans are so protective of their unlimited speed Autobahns or we will all have to take up motor racing as driving will become just like bus travel.
This is just another easy way for fleecing the motorist ,most of which are quite capable of safely driving from A to B
Looks like the market in older used cars without Big Brother fitted is going to get busy! Watch the prices rise!
What you suggest (similar to others) is ok in essence. However, the car has become a fashion accessory for the cerebrally challenged who do not know how to and cannot be bothered to look after a car.
Many things have been cut from service schedules over the years and a look at the likes of the U Pull It website reveals undamaged (by accident) cars less than 10 year old being scrapped. I presume because of expensive electronic failure but there are other reasons also.
My point is how many people treat a modern car precludes it from being environmentally friendly and I doubt they will be able to look after an older car.
Since modern cars use mini computers to control all functions it has been possible for the authorities to download data from the car. Dealers use it during servicing. The police can and have used it to determine speed and driver inputs at accident scenes.
The difference is that they have to come to your car to manually download it. With these new regulations they can do it remotely without your consent. This is a breach of civil liberties.
CAN but currently don’t as that would need legislation.
big brother big ripoff
I believe that the majority of vehicles with on-board telemetry and tracking are predominantly Lease, hire and company cars. The driver therefore isn’t the owner and presumably the manufacturer/lease/Hire company is protecting their assets – so your shouldn’t have any qualms over “being monitored/spired on”.
Some of the monitoring is for one’s own safety. All to often we hear of motorists who have had an accident and ended up in a ditch, only to be spotted hours if not days latter. Now with the technology available the Emergency Services are instantly alerted of the incident and precise location. Other types of monitoring is anonymously recording vehicle use for research and development purposes – similar to internet use and cookies !
Lets face it Android, Apple, Google, Samsung, Huawei, Fitbits etc. and everyone else that provides us with our indispensable mobile tech has been monitoring and tracking us for years. Your mobile provider network tracks your movements between cells. Your credit and debit card providers track where and how you spend. Our calls, emails and electronic communications are all are subject to retention and scrutineer by law enforcement and intelligence agencies
We are already monitored to such a vast extent, does one more in our cars really make that much of a difference now?
The UK also has one of the highest level of CCTV coverage in the world, we get monitored everywhere; on the motorway (tracked), entering and leaving cities and towns, while parking in public/private car parks, at our places of work, while using public transport………………….n.
As long as all the International and Nations safeguards are in place on who can access our telemetry and movement data, and how it can be used with our consent – then we should not have anything to worry about
At the end of the day only someone with something to hide or engaged in criminal or nefarious activities need fear. All this “monitoring” is the inevitable part of modern living.
The alternative is go-off grid, live in the remotest parts of the country, ditch the mobile, sell the car, cut up your credit/debit cards and only use cash.
Your final paragraph make more sense than the rest. That said l doubt that anyone wishing to lead a natural simple life will be allowed to in the future.
Your comment reflects what is wrong with people in general these days, and in Britain in particular. Apathy, willingness to surrender the right to make decisions because someone else making them for you is easier, “safer”.
I am not one of the mindless buffoons who need ever more technology to get by. I think the majority of people who read these articles of what is in the future have no desire for the emerging dystopian world order which is being aided by those who develop new technologies for money.
Not to mention we will be expected to pay extra for all this new technology that we don’t want. Lets hope ‘hackers’ will have worked out how to disable it all.
I joked a few years ago that with the tech being used to control and track LGV drivers ,before long if you want a licence you have to have a chip in your neck. This could be justified under H&S legislation to ensure your rest periods are complied with. When tacho’s were introduced in 1981 they were called a “spy in the cab” , how true that was. ps. And that was a E.U. regulation.
Can’t see anything being done about it at all in future. But imagine being in control and you don’t want protesters just press a button and their cars switch off.
Why would the government’s want to stop it? Listen to what people are talking about threw their cars homes and phones you can controls them much easier.
Remove cash at the same time and make everyone use card transactions or a chip in your hand and you then control everything and everyone.
“…, but rather than improve our lives,…” So, you don’t think that technology which will prevent a drunk driving over the speed limit from running you down on a zebra crossing or smashing into the back of you while you’re waiting at a red light will improve your life? The articles on this site seem to be getting worse.
Another case of the authorities spying on the motorists. Nanny state wanting more prosecutions and more money for the tax man
No more boy racers or BMW drivers. Yay!
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