George Jetson, your car is here!

April 6, 2001 7:11 PM

George Jetson, your car is here! We have miniature phones, pocket computers, and wristwatch MP3 players/cameras. Now DaimlerChrysler's working on the bubble car! In lieu of faster toasting devices, can a bubble car make driving safer?
posted by hijinx (11 comments total)

Perhaps safer, but I wouldn't want it as it is in the article - I'd want more of a roof or sun blocker. I don't even open my sunroof cover in the summer because the sun coming in from above really affects my vision, makes my eyes tired, AND gets uncomfortably hot. But the clear view around at eye level is a neat idea. I suppose they could make the bubble as structurally safe (or maybe more so) than the thin metal currently used? Still - good to see these things being delved into! Thanks for the link.
posted by thunder at 7:50 PM on April 6, 2001

"A glass-roofed car for research purposes... DaimlerChrysler has specially equipped a vehicle to determine a driver's vision requirements."
posted by register at 8:08 PM on April 6, 2001

I'm sorry, but I fail to see how this does anything for research.

Seems to me if one is studying how well someone can see from the bubble car, it isn't anything that couldn't be done with your run-of-the-mill convertible. The only thing new here is the camera watching the driver's eyes-- and that won't be in the final design.
posted by tsitzlar at 8:35 PM on April 6, 2001

a convertible has pillars in the front, and that's what they're trying to redesign:

"They can determine parameters for the optimum contour of the pillars, for example, and make appropriate suggestions to the design department."

seems like a good idea, as long as they study more than just that driver featured in the picture.
posted by register at 8:43 PM on April 6, 2001

Volvo showed a concept car at the 2001 Detroit Auto Show with "see through" A-pillars for better visibility. It's a different look...
posted by LeiaS at 10:08 PM on April 6, 2001

That will work out well when trying to see dangerous objects falling from the sky -- from directly above you.
posted by 7sharp11 at 10:49 PM on April 6, 2001

Seems to me if one is studying how well someone can see from the bubble car, it isn't anything that couldn't be done with your run-of-the-mill convertible.

As register says, convertibles are built differently. It's a useful innovation: after all, we've seen the first signs of user-centred design in the controls, dashboard, whatever, so it'd be nice to have a windscreen based on what drivers need to see, as well as the safety/engineering requirements.
posted by holgate at 9:28 AM on April 7, 2001

I can't tell you how much pillars annoy me... at the speed that I drive at and the coordination it requires, especially in Portland traffic, pillars annoy the hell out of me.

I'm glad to see someone's researching this. I'd be really happy if they could discover some way to make the pillars go away altogether.
posted by SpecialK at 12:57 PM on April 7, 2001

If it makes that same high-pitched putt-putt whine as George's car, then, mama, you just sold yourself a bubble car!
posted by fooljay at 3:29 PM on April 7, 2001

That will work out well when trying to see dangerous objects falling from the sky -- from directly above you.

No doubt, but there will need to be another mirror installed to help you look in all directions at once. A top-view mirror, perhaps, that you can flip to day-vision mode when the sun gets right overhead?
posted by daveadams at 9:19 PM on April 7, 2001

That will work out well when trying to see dangerous objects falling from the sky -- from directly above you.


Hey, if you've ever driven on I-94 in Detroit you know how important that can be!
posted by tj at 10:18 PM on April 7, 2001