Cranky Driver – Page 12 – Trying to Make the Driving World a Little Less Annoying

What Hath Google Wrought?

On October 14, 2010

After a Google blog post last weekend, it was revealed that Google has been secretly working on autonomous vehicles, cars that can drive themselves. The engineers working on this project had experience from the DARPA challenges, and include Sebastian Thrun of the 2005 winners from Stanford, and Christopher Urmson of the 2007 winners from Carnegie Mellon (of which my company also contributed).

“Your car should drive itself. It just makes sense. It’s a bug that cars were invented before computers.”
–Eric Schmidt, Google CEO

The Vampire’s Highway

By EMan

On September 27, 2010

In Road Trips and Events

“Did gerade Linie ist gottlos.”
–Hundertwasser

A friend of mine is on a foreign assignment to Romania for a couple of years. The city where he’s located, Timisoara, is nice enough, with a university and a technical industry, and was the first mainland European city to be lit by electric street lamps in 1884.

The German Paradox – The Autobahn

By EMan

On September 18, 2010

In Rants

(Also: The German Paradox – Parking)

The Autobahn. The word evokes a mystical essence about German driving. It’s the last automotive frontier, like the old American wild west. It’s still unlimited. Thoroughbreds like Porsche, BMW, Audi and Mercedes (okay— and VW for that GTI guy) still roam the autobahn. And every encounter in the left lane is about who’s faster, and who needs to move now.

Stigmata

By EMan

On September 12, 2010

In Recent News

Now that’s going to leave a mark.

For those that don’t watch BBC’s Top Gear show with religious fervor, I’m talking about the de-helmeting of the Stig from the show. For the last seven years, the current (and likely ex-) Stig was the test driver for Top Gear, doing stunts and setting lap times on various cars on the show. His identity has always been a mystery, and now Ben Collins has written an autobiography claiming to be the Stig.

The Sound of Music

By EMan

On August 23, 2010

In Random

I’m one of those people that can’t drive without music playing in the car. It’s an intrinsic part of the driving experience for me. If my radio is off while I’m driving, it’s probably because I’m listening to a strange sound my car is making, or I’m looking for an address. And now that I’ve upgraded the radios in my cars, I listen almost exclusively to whatever is on my iPod.

Still Here

By EMan

On August 17, 2010

In Random

Between my current crazy work schedule, and my kids’ inability to sleep through the night, I can’t seem to put a complete senten—hey, look! Imaginary puppies!

A new post is coming soon.

Also, if you post a comment, I’ll be able to see it but not be able to respond. Instead, please just send me an e-mail. Thanks!

“If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough.”
–Mario Andretti

The German Paradox – Parking

By EMan

On July 13, 2010

In Rants

(Also: The German Paradox – The Autobahn)

To a driving enthusiast, the allure of Germany is undeniable. An unlimited autobahn? The Nürburgring? Home of Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi (and for that GTI owner, VW)? What could be better?

Sign of the Times

By EMan

On July 9, 2010

In Random

I learned the importance of correct time while waiting for the busses in Germany. After a couple of long walks home when I missed the last bus of the day, I learned to keep my watch set accurately.

These days it is pretty easy to have the exact time. Computers automatically sync up to atomagical clocks for the correct time. Cell phones get the correct time from their networks. GPS devices have the exact time from alien countdown satellites. There’s really no excuse not to have the right time.

Me and My Porsche

By EMan

On July 2, 2010

In Random

I’m a pretty rotten friend. I’ve let an old buddy, my 1989 944 Turbo, languish in the garage, buried under the debris of family.

Kindred Folk

By EMan

On June 29, 2010

In Rants

I was reading the Booth Babe’s article about summer driving events, when I made the mistake of reading the comments. I hate reading the comments, because I lose all hope in my fellow man (again).