FOOLPROOF MOTOR CAR

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19123, 18 September 1936, Page 9

FOOLPROOF MOTOR CAR

PROFESSOR’S HOBBY SCIENTIFIC ‘ GADGETS AUTOMATIC CONTROL At present 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 0. Galli, an archaeologist of Italian birth who, like his worldfamous countryman, Signor Marconi; has a flair for scientific inventions.. "Most of tho'features lattached. to. tho. car by Professor Galli have beon in use for about two years and have been mentioned .in scientific journals, and the recent interest' in "road-safety devices has induced tho professor to come to tlie North Island to show those who are interested t th,at it is possible to remove the,human factor, from road accidents. ■ . . i . » 1

The appliances built into the igni-. tion circuit of the car are all electrically operated and provide for .almost every eventuality that can 'he a bugbear. to motoring. The most important feature is controlled by a small pad affixed- to iho right-luiud door of tho 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. IIow;ovor, should the driver relax,through weariness, sleepiness, fainting, or' other causes, the spring pushes the pad out, a bell rings, iho ignition is 1 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 donoj because the ear cornet to test, i ■ IMPORTANCE OF GADGETS c

Tiie importance of such automatic' control"is multiple. A sleepy-driver will be. awakened ,by the'boll and the slowing down ,of tho car and can continue oii his way by pressing on tho pad; an intoxicated driver would be unable to drive unless he was sober enough to keep tho pad depressed;, a Uriel' would attract attention to him-

self by sotting the bell ringing when the ignition was switched on; a slowacting driver would not need io act because relaxation of tho legs makes tho car act.; and tho absolute collapse Of the driver stops the. car. Professor LJalii took a Post, reporler for a drive in the car and illustrated its robot features, which, in addition to those already, mentioned, include tlie two .signals pn the roof. These are synchronised with the speedometer, and when ascertain speed is passed one rises and lights up. When the speed becomes excessive the other rises and lights; indicating by day or night that tho driver is speeding. The professor said that he considered the devices could [he incorporated in a car during manufacture at a comparatively small cost,, but it would have to be done during .mauqfacturo, and consequently thoro was'no market for the idea in 'Now Zoalaud.. II p hud not pressed the •nia'ltdr abroad, but those wlro had scon tho car had called it a “miracle car” and had expressed the opinion that he encourage public interest in the interests of both-motorists aiul pedestrians.