I have seen the future and it is here now (not the C8) at 2018 LA AutoMobility

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I am at 2018 LA AutoMobility, and while the car reveals aren’t until tomorrow, there has been some extremely interesting technology discussed today. One of the ‘coolest’ IMO was a demonstration I did with Peter Freer, President of Freer Logic, and his Neurobiomonitor’s (“NBM”) headrest. I know it’s a mouthful, but here is a way simplified explanation: It looks like a regular automotive headrest, but has embedded in it a passive circuit board receiver that picks up brain waves without contacting the head. It works highly effectively with the head about 6 to 10 inches away from the headrest.

It provides real time brain data, that for example, can distinguish whether you are focused on the road, distracted by an incoming phone call, looking away from the road, getting drowsy, etc.

I sat down in the car seat and Peter turned on the read out so that it showed on a large monitor in front of me. The read out looks just like an EEG if you have seen one, reflecting the electrical activity of the brain (but again, it does it with nothing attached to the head).

Here is what came up on my read out:



It was (at least to me) astounding to be able to see in real time the changes in my brain waves as Peter asked me to do different things such as concentrate on the projected image of driving down a road, then reaching for my cell phone, jostled my arm (like would occur when driving over a bump) or even just talking to him while still attempting to focus on the road. He and his company is currently working with OEM and Tier 1 suppliers to determine fatigue, drowsiness, cognitive load, distraction, emotion, stress, and relaxation.

Stay tuned (and watch what you are thinking ).

[Shadow]

That is a very exciting potential development. Thank you Jeff for being our roving reporter.

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Most welcome Shadow! There was also an electric 2 person helicopter with folding wings (EVA), electric short haul trucks (Thor) ideal for UPS, FedEx, etc. plus lots more.

[Ssscooter66]

Thanks (again) for the information Jeff . I'm sure I'd like the helicopter best but nobody would probably be want a passenger... lol

[Boomer]

Thats impressive Jeff. USDOT has an Intelligent Transportation Systems program that Peter Freer is probably aware of. The kinda of thing he's doing is what they are interested in. Federal funding is available to help develop/deploy such systems. Suggest you at least assure he is familiar with ITS.

https://www.its.dot.gov/


There is also an Intelligent Transportation Society of America organization that is an authorized advisory committee to the USDOT to help deploy of such technologies. I assume Mr Freer is a member of that organization.


https://www.itsa.org/

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Thanks Boomer. My guess is that he is aware as well as a member, but I will pass it on next time he and I talk. I hope to do a more detailed article on his system.

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After covering the Chevrolet, GM and Caddy exhibits today I can confirm that there is no debut of the C8. As a matter of fact, there were only 2 Corvettes on display by GM, the rest were mainly trucks, small cars, etc. However, there was an engine on display in the Cadillac exhibit that IMO (probably not one to put any money on ) that looked like it would work in the MidEngine Vette. It was a 4.2L Blackwing hot V twin turbo V8. And in a discussion with a fairly knowledgeable individual, he said that engine would possibly be a good fit for the MidEngine- if there was one

[John]

Thank you very much Jeff for being our great roving reporter. Did we not just see you at SEMA and other notable car places LOL!

You have confirmed what most of us suspicioned, that the LA Show was/is not the site of the ME’s reveal. Too bad, but so. G

I am personally glad even though I applied and was granted media access pass for the LA show, I decided to save my travel money and put it into my ME fund instead.

[Boomer]

However, there was an engine on display in the Cadillac exhibit that IMO (probably not one to put any money on ) that looked like it would work in the MidEngine Vette. It was a 4.2L Blackwing hot V twin turbo V8. And in a discussion with a fairly knowledgeable individual, he said that engine would possibly be a good fit for the MidEngine- if there was one

Yes!! Since Cadillac no longer needs that engine cause they are discontinuing the CT6 for which it was designed, I would now "put money on" it going into the C8. Looking forward to your photos of the Blackwing engine.

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Yes!! Since Cadillac no longer needs that engine cause they are discontinuing the CT6 for which it was designed, I would now "put money on" it going into the C8. Looking forward to your photos of the Blackwing engine.

Hope to have pictures as soon as I get a break.

[Mobius]

Wow, that is interesting technology, but I wonder about the sensitivity of the receiver - if it is so sensitive that it can pick-up brain waves without physical contact to the scalp, it may be influenced by interference of electronic noise in the vehicle, which might impose limits on the system's effectiveness.

I'm definitely looking forward to understanding this tech in more detail - thanks for sharing.

It reminds me a bit of Elon Musk's recent start-up, Neuralink: https://www.teslarati.com/elon-musk-...ios-interview/

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Wow, that is interesting technology, but I wonder about the sensitivity of the receiver - if it is so sensitive that it can pick-up brain waves without physical contact to the scalp, it may be influenced by interference of electronic noise in the vehicle, which might impose limits on the system's effectiveness.

I'm definitely looking forward to understanding this tech in more detail - thanks for sharing.

It reminds me a bit of Elon Musk's recent start-up, Neuralink: https://www.inverse.com/article/5122...firm-neuralink

I'll explore that with Peter Freer as I gather more information.

[John]

Yes!! Since Cadillac no longer needs that engine cause they are discontinuing the CT6 for which it was designed, I would now "put money on" it going into the C8. Looking forward to your photos of the Blackwing engine.

Or maybe, Corvette would get that 4.2L Blackwing, and a 5.5L version also?

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Or maybe, Corvette would get that 4.2L Blackwing, and a 5.5L version also?

only time will tell

[John]

By 2022 might we see an all electric eRay Cadillac ME sports car? Or will the eRay all electric be a Corvette? So many exciting possibilities, so many yet unknowns.

And in the interim, so much fun in our current Corvettes!