A ROBOT CAR

Evening Post, Issue 66, 15 September 1936, Page 4

A ROBOT CAR

SAFETY ON THE ROAD

AUTOMATIC CONTROL

At the present time there is a car in Wellington that looks just like any other car except that it has two signalling arms fixed to the top of the hood, but in actual use it proves to be a vehicle with a "brain" of its own that will take charge if the driver is no longer in control. The car is the property of Professor Leone C. Galli, an archaeologist of Italian birth who, like his world-famous countryman, Signor Marconi, has a flair for scientific inventions. Most of the features attached to the car by Professor Galli; have been in use for about two years and have been mentioned in scientific journals, and the recent interest in road-safety devices has induced the professor to come to the North Island to show those who are interested that it is possible to remove the human factor from.road accidents.

The appliances built into the ignition circuit'of the car are all electrically operated and provide for almost every eventuality that can be a bugbear to motoring. The most important feature is controlled by a small pad affixed to the right-hand door of the car. When the driver is seated his leg naturally rests against this pad and compresses a spring that is made light enough to cause no discomfort to the driver. However, should the driver relax through weariness, sleepiness, fainting, or other causes, the spring pushes the pad out, a bell rings, the ignition is cut off, the brakes are applied, a fan blows fresh air on to the .driver, and a jet of revivifying vapour is blown into his face. If he does not respond to this treatment no harm will be done, because the car comes to rest.

The importance of such automatic control is multiple. A sleepy driver will be awakened by the bell and the slowing down of the car and can continue on his way by pressing on the pad; an intoxicated driver would be unable to drive unless he was sober enough to keep the pad depressed; a thief would attract attention-to himself by setting the bell ringing when the ignition was switched on; a slow-acting driver would not need to act because relaxation of the legs makes the car act; and the absolute collapse of the driver stops the car. , Professor Galli took a "Post" reporter for a drive in the car today and illustrated its robot features, which, In addition to those already mentioned, include the two signals on the roof. These 'arc synchronised with the speedometer, and when a certain speed is passed one rises and lights up. When the speed becomes excessive the other rises and lights, indicating by day or night that the driver is speeding. The professor said that he considered the devices could be incorporated in a car during manufacture at a comparatively small cost, but it would have to be done during manufacture, and consequently there was no market for the idea in New Zealand. He had not pressed the matter abroad, but those who had seen the car had called it a "miracle car" and had expressed the opinion that he should encourage public1 interest :in the interests, of both motorists and pedesr trians, ■ ■ ■'