Technology

There's little doubt driverless cars are on the way, and more a when than if. But would you buy one? According to a study conducted in the US, 90 per cent of drivers would buy an autonomous car if it would reduce their insurance premiums by 80 per cent. Online insurance brokers CarInsurance.com surveyed 2000 drivers and found that while most had more faith in their own skills than a computer-based system, they'd still consider giving up the steering -- and pedals -- to save money on insurance. If an autonomous car meant an 80 per cent cut on their insurance cost, more than 30 per cent said they'd be very likely to buy such a car, and 90 per cent said they would at least consider buying one, and 20 per cent said they'd be happy to let a driverless car take over completely even if there was no benefit to their insurance premium. However there was still strong faith in humans being better behind the wheel than computers, with 75 per cent believing they could drive better than a computer, and the same percentage saying they would not trust a driverless car to take their children to school, while 64 per cent believed humans are better at decision-making than computers. Despite the strong push down the autonomous path by technology giants like Google, 54 per cent would still prefer to buy a driverless car from traditional vehicle brands such as Ford, with 18 per cent nominating tech car brands like Tesla as their choice, and just 15 per cent choosing software makers like Google and 12 per cent going for hardware makers like Apple. A mere one per cent would trust an autonomous car from a telecommunications company like Telstra, Optus or Vodaphone. And how will we spend all that free time when the car is doing the driving for us? Certainly not in catching up on work, it seems, with 26 per cent of those surveyed saying they'd phone or text friends, 21 per cent reading and 10 per cent simply sleeping. We'd suggest those figures are not too far from what drivers currently do now while supposedly in control of their vehicles -- and some of those distractions are partly the reason for higher insurance premiums. The survey cited a study the US's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which found that 95 per cent of accidents are caused by human error, and that autonomous systems could largely reduce that figure. "Autonomous cars don't get distracted, text or drink while driving. They have a 360-degree view of the surrounding area and never get tired. Google robotics visionary Sebastian Thrun has predicted that autonomous vehicles could reduce traffic accidents by 90 per cent," the survey said. But while we know autonomous cars are coming, we still don't know whether they will actually reduce insurance premiums. The big question is over who -- or what -- should be liable if a car crashes. Should the blame go to the owner or the vehicle? This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Carsguide was delighted to learn this week that our free iPad app, CarsMag, has been chosen as a finalist in the Motoring Magazine of the Year category of the prestigious global Digital Magazine Awards. The shortlisting among 10 finalists caps a great 12 months for CarsMag, which has grown to more than 35,000 subscribers.The Digital Magazine Awards are the premiere competitive showcase for the digital publishing industry, and target innovation, creativity and design as prime judging factors.The other nine finalists include some of the world’s leading brands: Auto Bild; BBC Top Gear; Dream Machines; ignition; Jaguar F-Type App; Motor Sport; Ride Through Magazine; and 2010 Motoring Magazine of the Year category winner Zoom-Zoom (Mazda magazine).Some of our own favourite reading is on that list and we’re truly honoured to be on it as well, no matter which way the judging goes when the winners are announced in London on November 26.To download the free app for iPad, visit the iTunes store here. 

The Productivity Commission has officially begun a new study into Australia's struggling car manufacturing industry and will reveal the terms of its investigation today. Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has asked for an interim report to be completed by December 20, with a more detailed analysis to follow on March 31.The timing of the interim report is believed to have been tailored to meet Holden's Christmas deadline, so its parent company General Motors can decide whether or not to proceed with early ground-works for future models at its Elizabeth car-making factory during the scheduled summer-holiday shutdown.The timing of the final report is believed to have been chosen so that it is delivered after the South Australian state election in early March. Mr Macfarlane wasn't available for comment last night as he was on route to Japan for a four-day visit, during which time he will meet with senior Toyota executives.A joint statement issued by the office of Mr Macfarlane and Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey last night said the Productivity Commission would "examine the best way that the Australian Government and Australian economy can ensure the ongoing viability of the automotive industry - including a sustainable and profitable automotive manufacturing sector".But the Terms of Reference will likely have the car manufacturing industry worried. The inquiry will include examination of "international competitiveness, exports, workforce structure and practices, skills levels and long-term sustainability", areas where the Australian industry is notoriously weak.The statement also said the independent Productivity Commission would investigate "the potential for Australian made cars to be exported overseas - and Australia's attractiveness as an investment location for all phases of automotive manufacturing activity".Exports have been blunted by the strong Australian dollar and investment in new factories have been quashed by Australia's proximity to South-East Asian countries, where labour rates are one quarter of Australia's.The Productivity Commission will also reassess the level of taxpayer support given to car makers in other countries, most of which manufacture more cars, create more jobs and export many times more vehicles to more markets than does Australia."The Government is already implementing significant measures that will assist the Australian automotive industry," the joint statement said.  "The Government has pledged not to proceed with the previous Government's $1.8 billion Fringe Benefits Tax hit on the automotive sector. Further, we have already released draft legislation to rescind the carbon tax. The carbon tax adds, on average, $400 to the cost of every vehicle produced in Australia."The public is invited to register an interest in the inquiry or find out more information at www.pc.gov.au.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

The latest advance in car gaming isn't on your computer, or even on your phone. It's back on your floor -- yes, where it all first started with slot cars.But the similarity between slot cars and the new Anki Drive game stops with the floor. These racers don't need a slot, instead they use a mat with an embedded code that orientates and positions them, sending the data to tiny cameras on the cars.You still control them, but with an iOS app that lets you steer, accelerate -- and fire weapons at your rivals, including a handy tractor beam to wirelessly hook onto them.And their success isn't entirely tied to -- or limited by -- your skill with the controls. The Anki Drive cars use artificial intelligence to learn and improve while racing, making their own judgements on when to pass, scrape or block the competition.Race results give you points that can be spent on upgrading your car with higher performance specs and extra weapons. Those upgrades stay on the car permanently, becoming part of the robotic racer's character. But the game's upgrade system is structured so that no car can ever have all the upgrades -- so you have to make decisions about which characteristics you're prepared to do without -- and Anki says no two cars will ever be identical.If they look space-age, it's because they're from the pen of German master vehicle artist Harald Belker, who also designed cars for the Iron Man films, Transformers, the 1996 Batmobile, the Light Cycles from TRON Legacy, the Minority Report Lexus and even Inspector Gadget's Gadgetmobile.The Anki Drive starter kit goes on sale overseas this week through the company's website and Apple Stores, with two cars and a track mat for about $120. Additional cars cost about $80 each.Watch Anki Drive app-controlled cars learn while racing video hereThis reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

A short time after turning on the cruise control in my 2008 Subaru Impreza manual hatch the engine seems to stutter and the cruise control turns off, the dash light flashes and the vehicle dynamics control warning light comes on. The dealer reset it on their computer and told me it was a catalytic converter issue, but the car hasn't missed a beat and no lights have come on at all when I've driven it without using the cruise control. I believe it could be an electronic issue given it doesn't occur unless cruise control is on.

Thanks for publishing my complaint about the out-of-date GPS maps Subaru supplied with my new XV, and added thanks for asking them to contact me and sort the issue out. Unfortunately I haven't yet heard from Subaru.

Look hard at this car. It's Volkswagen's next hatchback. Well, maybe look under the skin. It's the substance of the XL1 rather than the outlandish form that we'll see in VW's small, affordable passenger cars before the calendar flips to decade three.While the limited run XL1 is on sale in Europe for some $160,000 to collectors and the uber green, its essence will run tomorrow's Ups, Polos, Golfs and more besides. The trick is to look past the hip level height, carbon fibre body, gull wing doors and to see the plug-in electric battery on which it can run for 50km alone and the two-cylinder diesel engine which stretches the range for a further 500.This combo makes for emission free city travel and open road travel at some 0.9 litres per 100km, though it can motor at 160km/h. Hence the company label "1.0-litre car" - of which the XL1 is the showroom precursor - refers not to capacity but range.Having clambered through the Bladerunner doors, you could be in almost any contemporary VW, albeit the brand's only two seater. The switchgear and most of the dials are from the Golf, the wheel is pure GTI, the gear stick operates a seven speed DSG auto, the removable Garmin multi-media screen is found in the Up.There's no mirrors and no need for them - two rear facing cameras, one mounted in each door eliminate blind spots. That should be disorientating and so it is for about 30 seconds at which point it replaces intuition.That's also  so of the drive. The XL1 glides as silently as any electric vehicle though a good deal more efficiently than any on the road with almost on-existent wind resistance. Amid the plethora of innovation there's at least one delightful old world note. The steering is purely mechanical, entirely devoid of assistance, just like a Lotus or my 1971 Kingswood.Merging onto to the autobahn, the diesel engine is engaged via finger tip on the Garmin. It chugs crudely but almost immediately into life, ensuring that you needn't remain on the inside lane for long. When our brief test  is over, I'm exhilarated in a way that only some fast and fabulous cars have made me.Parked nearby the XL1 at Bensburg Castle near Cologne this week, where VW runs a pre Frankfurt Show event, is a Bugatti Veyron - the outrageous 16-cylinder quad turbo supercar. Haven't driven one of those. Probably won't.But it's proximity makes you realise the XL1 is every bit as much a supercar in its own sense. And while it is the single most expensive VW in the brand's near 80-year history, its heart and lungs will be part of your and my driving reality. 

Autonomous cars are parked just around the next corner but the key to their suitability is being held by governments and big business, Audi says.Audi's chief Rupert Stadler says his company could introduce cars with the technology almost immediately. "We have spent three years developing an autonomous car and we have shown it at Geneva, in a TT, in 2011," he tells Carsguide at Frankfurt motor show."We believe it is coming but it's up to other factors than us. There are repercussions to the driver, the car owner, the passengers, the public and so on."Mr Stadler says a time frame before 2020 is "realistic" but regulation could change that. "It doesn't depend on us. It's now up to governments, regulations and businesses such as insurance.""Yes, we've had the technology to build a car and operate it without a driver at up to 130km/h. We've driven that in Nevada.""But the technology will also be expensive. There is a big investment in the pre-production phase. We also have to make a business case from this. It will be evolutionary rather than revolutionary and I think will take some time."The reporter is on Twitter: @cg_dowling 

I recently bought a new Subaru XV and have since been told by Subaru that the most current maps they have available are the 2011 maps, and that it's my responsibility to source and pay for updates. I would have thought it was reasonable to be provided with up-to-date maps in a brand new car, and further when it is standard equipment on the car I would expect the maps to be updated automatically when my car goes in for service, much like they update the computer in the car. I don't know why this part of the vehicle is being neglected. I have spoken with my dealer and Subaru has not provided him with any updates either. I think this is very poor and Subaru needs to take responsibility and provide updates free of charge to cars while they are under warranty and maybe even for the life of the vehicle. My $200 Navman gives me free updates for life, so it's obviously easily done.

I purchased a new 2010 Mitsubishi Challenger LS with a reversing camera and reversing sensors fitted by the dealer. These parts have a 3-year warranty and about six months after this timeframe passed the reversing camera stopped working. All of a sudden, the screen, connected to my rear view mirror was completely white. My dealer could not find a fault with the wiring, but they could not test the camera/screen, as they did not have a spare unit they could test it on. All they could offer was to replace the reversing camera at a cost of $800. Is 3.5 years a reasonable lifespan or should these units be lasting much longer?