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from the not-just-for-stopping-speeders-anymore dept.
Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
To increase public security, the EU SAVELEC project has demonstrated a prototype device that can stop non-cooperative vehicles, both safely and at distance.
In its endeavour to keep the public safe, one of the key challenges facing European security services is the ability to control and stop, at distance, non-cooperative vehicles posing a threat. However, this ability presents more than a technical challenge. To comply with EU legislation, as well as adhere to ethical concerns, the technology would also have to be safe for the user, the driver (and passengers), as well as members of the public and the material infrastructure of the surrounding environment.
The SAVELEC (Safe control of non cooperative vehicles through electromagnetic means) project developed a prototype device, after testing signals (magnetic pulses and microwave), which interfered with key car components, forcing it to slow down and stop. With the contribution of security forces as the ultimate end users, the researchers were able to simulate the technology's use in realistic scenarios.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 01 2016, @08:21AM
"Without the engine running, the brakes will cease to function, and in many new models of car the steering wheel will lock in place."
OMG, another clueless wonder. So you think that if you run out of gas, your brakes and steering will hard fail? And you think that such a deathtrap would be allowed on our roads? Try again. BTW, you strike me as the type who wouldn't even try to brake or steer if your engine stalled, because you "know" that it would be fruitless. So pretty much a self fulfilling prophesy...
(Score: 2) by tangomargarine on Monday August 01 2016, @02:31PM
OMG, another clueless wonder. So you think that if you run out of gas, your brakes and steering will hard fail?
Most power steering systems work by using a hydraulic system to multiply force applied to the steering wheel inputs to the vehicle's steered (usually front) road wheels.[12] The hydraulic pressure typically comes from a gerotor or rotary vane pump driven by the vehicle's engine.
(Wikipedia [wikipedia.org])
Not hard fail, but require more effort to use. I wonder what percentage of drivers are aware of how power steering/braking works. If you're not aware of what's happening, maybe you get a situation analogous to the automatic drivers during the uncontrolled acceleration thing who didn't think to shift to neutral.
Plus I wonder how somebody used to ABS would fare if they suddenly lost that in slick conditions. Presumably the ABS relies on the power braking system.
"Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"