DRIVERLESS CAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 243, 13 October 1936, Page 18

DRIVERLESS CAR.

GUIDED BY RADIO

EXHIBITION IN NEW YORK. SUCCESSFUL REMOTE CONTROL. Xew Yorkers who take tlie city-wide automobile safety campaign seriously were astounded to see a driverless cabriolet winding in and out of trafficcluttered streets, states a New York paper. There was no driver at all, and tlie. vehicle remained under perfect control throughout. Employed by an agency for advertising purposes, it trailed a sedan making up to 20 miles an hour over a complicated route. It swung right and left, as required, obeyed traffic regulations and signals, made U-turns and attracted along the way scores of pedestrians who seemed uncertain of whether to gape, laugh or get out of the way. The link between the two cars, of course, was radio, and the process of remote control with which motor industries have been familiar for a long time. Although sponsors of the demonstration refused to give mechanical details, there seemed no reason to believe there was anything scientifically new about the toiir. It was probably the first time a radio-controlled motor vehicle had cruised through busv streets in New York.

Taken into Custody. A morning sortie with the advertisingsmeared automobiles brought tlieir sponsors to a police station, although no summons had been issued. Two motor cycle patrolmen, unable to spot a violation, were' unconvinced that eveiy thing was all right, and escorted the party to the station. The vice-president of the agency said the motor vehicles commissioner had given permission for a demonstration, after agreeing that nothing in the law prohibited radio operation of a car. The commissioner was not reached for confirmation, but the group was freed after the reported authorisation had been noted. Confident of no further interference, the agency took its car for a couple more rides" during the afternoon. Mr. Walter Rosenbart, sales manager, got behind the wheel of the lead car, which has no visible equipment indicating its role in the test. Actually, its.roof contains controlling devices. Mr. Joseph Tarallo, assistant service manager, clicked on the starter in the empty car, then got into the rear seat of the sedan. Headed west into First Avenue from Ninty-fifth Street, Mi. Rosenbart waited for a green light, and swung south into the avenue. The sleek tan cabriolet started about 20ft behind. Through the slanted windshield the black rim "of the steering wheel could be seen turning. When the turn was complete the wheel straightened out perfectly. Experiences in Traffic. The radios of both cars were blaring "Sing, Sing, Sing,, Sing." The manned vehicle continued along the busy highway, while taxis and trucks sped by. Three times between Ninety-fifth Street and the perfect twin U-turn at Sixtythird another car "cut off" the antennatopped driverless vehicle. Mr. Rosenbart merely kept his speed from exceeding that of the intervening motorist and carefully manoeuvred into a different lane. The companion ear swerved with him, and when he stopped it eased up to within a few inches behind and stopped too. Aside from the rectangle of wire supported by narrow posts, and crossed by diagonals, the novelty machine has nothing to distinguish it from any other convertible coupe, !> From the diagonals, however, four strands —yellow, red, black and green —lead to a kind of cabinet between the- front and rear N seat, which is the centre of the contiol mechanism. Two truckmen stared slack-jawed from the back of a truck. Taxi passengers twisted their necks, for a longer glimpse. At Ninetieth Street, after the turn, a red-haired boy in overalls jumped 011 the running board during a stop, and scratched his head meditatively.