100% agree on what the current generation of 'black boxes' do and don't do.

My point is, in future, they will record a lot more than they do now, and consumers will embrace it, if not demand it in the name of security.

IMO, Lo-Jack and On-Star type features w/ GPS will eventually be standard and the data will easily be recorded by the 'black box'. If you get in a crash, they'll know everything, including if you were on the phone, or how loud you were playing the stereo. Maybe record in-car conversations, too. Anything that could show if the driver was distracted.

The technology is readily available now. What is evolving is the public's acceptance. That tends to occur gradually, instead of in big leaps.

 

My thought on the vehicle black boxes? Good thing they didn't have these when I was in my 20's.

 

Not sure how old you are, but they have been available on the aftermarket for commercial vehicles since the early 1980's.

Trucking companies wanted to know if their drivers were speeding, operating too many hours in a row, etc...

 

These are not new, "Big Brother is Watching". Everyday they figure out a new way to monitor what you are doing but most people don't seem to care. Privacy is a thing of the past.

 

I have never even heard of these. Where are they located, in the cab?

The one for the 2009 and newer F150s is located under the passenger seat or so I'm told. I'm not sure but I think the "recording" portion of the BB may just be a part of one of the other vehicle security system or engine management system boxs. In other words, I don't think it's a stand alone box! If so then it can't be removed without disabling the vehicle.

 

Why should people care? The DHS can simply look on people's facebook and see what they're doing..

 

There are a lot of people not on FB for that very reason.

 

If you've got a smartphone of any sort, I'd be more worried about that than the measly Event Data Recorder in your vehicle.

Just saying...

 

Kinda makes me want to find a good old 1979 F150. (My favorite year/body style anyway) With all this extra crap they throw into vehicles anymore, its no wonder that they cost so much. Don't get me wrong, Union demands and benefits have added greatly to the cost of a vehicle, but so has government regulations. Most of the new tech they put into vehicles I could live without and for the most part do. My truck is most likely as bare bones as you could get in an '05 and I like it that way.

 

That, too. The location of your smart phone can absolutely be determined and monitored.

If people do realize this is possible, they generally don't have a problem with it. The masses envision a scenario where a loved one is kidnapped, and they want law enforcement to have the tool of locating the phone.

As long as the power is not abused, it's OK.

And nobody would ever abuse their power, right?

My bottom line is technology is great. But if those controlling it (and us) are unethical or untrustworthy, it's going to cause problems.

 

Yeah for sure, true about the smart phones. Even if you don't have service with an iPhone you can always find your blue dot on the maps app because it's satellite. So basically you can always know where the phone is located. (Or yourself)

 

I've already heard rumors that the state agencies are planning using "any" method possible in cracking down on speeding on interstates. They want to do some kind of "triangle" approach. That being access to any GPS location systems on board the vehicle (eg: OnStar), using RFID toll collection devices (eg: Ezpass), and high speed cameras. I mean they kind of already do it on the NYS thruway with Ezpass if you fly thru a toll booth or do some insane time from point A to point B. But they want to go a step further and install sensors at random points on interstates.

I'm sure RFID and high speed cameras are already enough... but all 3, sheesh!

Then again, I also heard rumors that states might begin putting RFID chips for both toll collection and information collection (eg: speeding, location, counts, etc) embedded in the license plates.

But some have asked about privacy, and they feel as if it is on a public roadway, it is then general knowledge and is in the "public's" better interest.

I personally don't know how I feel about it... it's one of those grey areas if you know what I mean.

 

Just happened to read today about a kid arrested for manslaughter after the "black box" in his Lancer showed he was speeding ...

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/loc...er-4681678.php

 

This is the stuff that actually pisses me off. There are far bigger crimes going on, but the cops are focused on people speeding.

 

This is the first I've heard of these things having been installed by manufacturers. Whether it is legally, I consider it a violation of rights.

Fairlaner, read the article and the driver seemed like a idiot/pr**k anyway, but I don't like that the arrest was made due to the box being read.