| Show Car Computer Can Control An on-board computer to control automobile functions and problems may be a reality in the next RESEARCH scientists from auto manufacturers and independent component and systems suppliers are working on what is considered one of the greatest challenges facing the automotive engineer-practical application of electronics to the The number of possible functions considered by the engineers cover a range from a moisture detector that would automatically turn on the windshield wipers and a radio transmitter to be used in the case of an accident or other emergency to an automatic tire pressure monitoring and pressure control WHILE the development of solid state electronics in the computer and aerospace industries over the past decade has been most the major stumbling blocks to automotive electronic systems have been cost and the extreme environments in which cars For would you consider pulling your TV set on a sled over salted snow-covered roads at 60 miles per LARGE-scale integrated circuits are now available containing the equivalent of over elements such as diodes and resistors on a chip the diameter of a pencil This offers a potential opportunity to combine a variety of vehicle and driver functions into one single onboard Such a computer will diagnose itself and indicate to the driver whether or not tt is capable of per- forming its required functions with a little more a self-repair capability in some circuits could be ONE MAJOR step in the evolution of the on-board computer is electronic fuel already available on some to provide a precise control over ratios for improved fuel economy and emission Other electronic systems already available on some of today's cars include wheel lock and traction electronic cruise automatic door locks and theft deterrent and computer diagnostic |
