Stacy94PGT

Volvo holds the phone
By Toby Hagon
The Sydney Morning Herald

Volvo has developed a system that can temporarily withhold information -- and phone calls -- to reduce driver distraction.

The Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS) monitors throttle movement, braking, steering angle and even use of blinkers and wipers to determine whether it will let your phone ring. If the level of driver activity exceeds the system's threshold, the car can withhold a phone call or other "peripheral information".

IDIS withholds "all non-safety related information," said a Volvo spokesman. "It knows when it's raining you need higher concentration, so it can wait a moment to deliver the information."

When the driver is less busy or, as Volvo describes it, when the "situation is calmer', IDIS displays the withheld information.

However, one of the most distracting functions in any car -- the mobile phone -- can be programmed to bypass IDIS.

The maker says this is because "we don't want to frustrate customers who want to answer the phone in any situation".

Volvo denies that IDIS is merely a tenuous road safety advance, and points to the system's origins in fighter aircraft.

IDIS arrives in the base S40 sedan and V50 wagon, which go on sale in June, then filters to the rest of the Volvo range.

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Stacy94PGT
My first car was a 67 Mustang Coupe, 2nd one was a 67 Cougar XR-7, 3rd one was a 66 Mustang Coupe. Why did I get rid of these cars for ? I know why, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid.

My next Ford.....