Drive a Car with an iPhone App

Joining the list of technological innovations deemed frightening should they fall into the hands of the general public, a few German techies devised an iPhone app that remotely drives an autonomous van called the Spirit of Berlin, according to Engadget.

The iDriver controls acceleration and braking with a couple of buttons, while steering is done by swaying the iPhone back and forth like you’re playing a video game.

The van uses a combination of Wi-Fi, laser 3-D sensors, cameras, GPS and a drive-by-wire system to pull this off. Appirion, which specializes in mobile phone software, created the app.

If you thought texting while driving was scary, imagine a teenager controlling his or her car remotely. Check out the video, and feel free to comment on the bizarre music choices, especially the decades-old Mario Bros. music at the end.

iPhone App Can Drive a Car (Detroit Free Press)

Comments

That is so 1997:

"BMW 750iL - Tomorrow Never Dies

'Q' delivered a lovely new BMW 750 to Bond and luckily had it fully insured for all eventualities.

Remote controlled from a cell phone, Bond spends a fair bit of time out of the car during the car chase. Fully loaded with weapons, Bond steers the car towards the roof..
The last time it was seen flying off the multi-storey, car park - straight into the 'Avis Rent-a-Car' showroom."

This is kinda cool, but it seems somewhat dangerous and I don't really see the point in it.

Use it to control an IED-sniffing robot.

Put this post together with this one: http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/11/measure-your-driver-distraction.html

That's scary!