Offline maps
Whether you are at home or traveling, it’s wise to download offline maps for the general area, points out the New York Times “Personal Tech.” If you drive into an area with no cell reception, Google Maps will switch to the offline maps to help you navigate to your destination.
New to Google Maps
Google Maps announced a major redesign for Android and iPhone, reports CNBC. The redesign focuses on five icons on the bottom of the screen, three of which are new: 1) “Saved” shows you the restaurants, bars, landmarks and other places you’ve bookmarked. 2) “Contribute” makes it faster to add reviews or post photos of the places you’ve been. 3) “Updates” is a quick way to see what’s popular around you based on recommendations from “local experts” or information outlets such as Infatuation.
Driverless vehicles? Not so fast.
The National Transportation Safety Board in late February held a public hearing to determine the probable cause of the March 23, 2018, fatal crash of a Tesla Model X in Mountain View, California. The crash on U.S. 101 killed its driver, Walter Huang, who was using Tesla Inc.’s advanced driver-assistance system known as Autopilot. According to performance data downloaded from the vehicle, Huang was using traffic-aware cruise control and autosteer lane-keeping assist. The 38-year-old Apple Inc. software engineer had Autopilot engaged continuously in the last 18 minutes and 55 seconds before his car struck a highway barrier at approximately 71 mph. The vehicle provided two visual and one auditory alerts for the driver to place his hands on the steering wheel, according to a preliminary report. The driver’s hands were not detected on the steering wheel in the six seconds before the crash, the NTSB said. Records reviewed by the board also found Huang was playing a video game on his iPhone before the crash, though it could not determine whether he was actively engaged with the game or just holding the device.
Your parents should know
Driver safety requires more than understanding road signs and traffic laws, says Mayo Clinic. As you get older, you’ll likely notice physical changes that can make certain actions — such as turning your head to look for oncoming traffic or braking safely — more challenging. Still, older drivers can remain safe on the road. A few tips: 1) Stay physically active. It improves your strength and flexibility, which in turn can improve safety by making it easier to turn the steering wheel, look over your shoulder, and make other movements while driving and parking. 2) Schedule regular vision and hearing tests. 3) Know your medications. Many drugs, including pain medications, sleep medications, antihistamines and muscle relaxants can affect driver safety, even when you’re feeling fine. 4) Understand your limitations. For example, if your hands hurt when gripping the steering wheel, use a steering wheel cover that makes holding and turning the wheel more comfortable. Ask your doctor for a referral to an occupational therapist.
Don’t let the wheels come off
Ford says it has developed a 3D-printed locking wheel nut made using a biometric signature based on the driver’s recorded voice in a bid to prevent wheel and tire thefts, according to Autoblog. Engineers record the driver’s voice for at least one second, then use software to convert the resulting soundwave into a physical pattern that can be 3D printed. They then convert the pattern into a circle and use the design for the indentation and key on the locking nut. The nut and key are designed as a single piece, then 3D printed using acid and corrosion-resistant stainless steel. What’s more, inside the nut are unevenly spaced ribs and indentations to prevent a thief from making a wax imprint of the pattern, since the wax breaks when it’s pulled from the nut.