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Car seat knows when you need a nap

There are a number of technologies on the market aimed at keeping us from falling asleep, especially while behind the wheel, but they usually involve some kind of device affixed to the noggin. Researchers in Japan, however, are working on a protype car seat that senses when you're about to nod off by monitoring pulse, respiration and other physical changes that typically occur 10 minutes before someone falls asleep, according to Pink Tentacle.

Sensors are embedded throughout the seat to detect those changes and, eventually, some kind of alarm system will be included to kick in when Mr. Sandman … Read more

Good vibrations for new BMW drivers

Drivers of the new BMW 5 series will have the option of an extra tech safety device to ensure that they make it to the boardroom meeting in one piece. The 2008 5 series, which will make its official debut at this week's Geneva auto show, will come with the intelligent Lane Departure Warning system (LDW), which will warn drivers if they are about to cross over a lane-dividing line without using their turn signal.

Rather than sounding a chime or flashing a light on the dashboard (a la the system in the 2007 Infiniti M35 Sport), the BMW … Read more

A car cam for Paris Hilton?

It's official: Crave has a link to Paris Hilton. A couple of weeks ago we panned the idea of this car-board black box device for any number of reasons. But today we read on GeekSugar that Kathy and Rick Hilton expressed interest in the Gadget Universe product for their ubiquitous daughter to keep tabs on paparazzi and other media hounds. We're not sure what to make of this latest development, but we do agree with GeekSugar's trenchant observation: "Personally I wonder if Paris really needs any more cameras around her than she already has."

Roadmaster scrolling LEDs enable artistic license

Now you have an alternative to your programmable VW bumper sticker if you want to communicate digitally with other road users. Roadmaster has unveiled two scrolling LED message systems that enable drivers to program up to 99 preset messages and five user-edited messages to share with other drivers. The system comes in two models: the Roadmaster Scrolling Digital License Plate Frame, and the Scrolling Rear Deck Message System, which sits on the car's parcel shelf; both are priced at $69.

Preset words and phrases can be called up using numbers on the systems' TV-like remote controls. According to Roadmaster, … Read more

Sony Line Show 2007: Complete coverage

Fans of Sony products are often disappointed at the January Consumer Electronics Show to discover that the company doesn't have very much to say. Sure, there's a big Sony booth and a handful of token product announcements and press releases, but it's always small potatoes compared to the dozens of new items on display from competitors such as Samsung, Philips, and Panasonic. But that's entirely by design: rather than get lost in the CES maelstrom, Sony opts to launch its new line of products at its own Sony-only line show. We've got complete coverage of … Read more

Sony releases MEX-BT2500 entry-level Bluetooth car stereo

Sony used its annual Open House product showcase in Las Vegas today to unveil its MEX-BT2500 Bluetooth in-car stereo. The MEX-BT2500 is the second of Sony's Bluetooth-enabled head units and will slot in below the MEX-BT5000 in its Xplod car stereo lineup.

Like the MEX-BT5000, the new entry-level unit doubles as a CD/MP3/WMA player as well as a Bluetooth receiver for hands-free calls and for wireless Bluetooth audio streaming via the advanced A2DP profile. The MEX-BT2500 features a built-in microphone and can be paired with as many as five cell phones simultaneously.

Portable devices that support Bluetooth … Read more

Honda's F1 team gives up green for green

Honda's Formula One racing team is to forgo millions of dollars in sponsorship revenue this season by replacing the valuable advertising real-estate on its cars' exteriors with an image of the Earth. The cars, which last year sported decals promoting eco-unfriendly Lucky Strike cigarettes, will this year be adorned with a huge blue and green environmentally inspired graphic.

In the press release accompanying today's official unveiling of the car at London's Natural History Museum, the automaker said it was eschewing the temptation to turn its RA107 car into a 200mph billboard in order to "raise awareness … Read more

An all-American car for an all-American pastime

Corvettes and video games, is there anything more American?

As with other car contests, part of the prize for "Best in Show" at the fourth annual Gran Turismo Awards at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas was that the car would be featured in a video game.

A 1960 Chevy Corvette by Art Morrison Enterprises, who also took Best Hot Rod at the November 2006 event, will be featured in the next edition of Gran Turismo.

This will not simply be an artist's rendering.

Jalopnik reports that the guys from Gran Turismo have … Read more

Keep your eyes on the windshield

We at Crave would never advocate speeding or any other illegal activity on the road, but we do think it's only fair that motorists get a fighting chance against overzealous, quota-driven traffic cops (this is America, dammit). Besides, this windshield speed projector can actually help you keep your eyes on the road, making it easier to dial a cell phone phone or watch a DVD while behind the wheel.

GlobalTop Technology's "GPS HUD Speed Meter" projects your miles per hour on the windshield so your eyes don't need to drop down to the dashboard for … Read more