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Honda files a patent for device to shut off automatic wipers in car wash

Pardon the 3 A.M. infomercial phrasing, but have you ever had a problem with your automatic wipers running when going through a car wash? If you have, Honda may have a solution for you. The company recently filed a patent for a system that would allow a car to recognize when it is being driven through a car wash, and subsequently switch off the wipers. The primary reason for this is to prevent the wiper arms from being damaged by the spinning or dragging scrubbers used at so many automatic car washes. As Honda describes in the patent, this system would operate by using information from the car's various sensors. Among them would be a sensor that would pick up on the noise and vibration from the equipment in the car wash, as well as when the scrubbers come in contact with the car. The car would also use information such as the vehicle's speed, and the driver's throttle and brake inputs. With all of these sources combined, the system should be able to shut off wipers only when it's in a car wash, and not during an extremely heavy thunderstorm. How soon this technology becomes available is anyone's guess, but we'll be happy whenever it comes to market. We would be even happier if Honda, or another automaker, takes the idea a step farther to create a car wash mode that would automatically fold in the mirrors and deactivate the parking sensors. Something along those lines could prevent even more accidental damage, and keep the parking system from going into conniptions. Related Video:

California approves unmanned self-driving car trials

Given the number of tech companies that call California home, it's no surprise the state has been quick with forward-thinking legislation to support the development of self-driving vehicles. And almost four years to the day since driverless trials on public streets were first approved, a new bill has been signed off by Governor Jerry Brown that permits autonomous car tests without a human passenger overseeing proceedings. Rather than applying throughout the Golden State, the bill is specific to a pilot project headed by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority. At San Ramon's Bishop Ranch business park, EasyMile's 12-seater shuttles will ferry workers around the site, which will include traveling on some public roads. The approval also covers GoMentum Station: A ghost town within the Concord Naval Weapons Station where Honda has been testing its driverless car technologies. Recently, Uber-owned Otto also signed up to test self-driving trucks on the site. Google and Apple have also expressed interest in the naval base testbed, according to the transport authority. Apple's autonomous plans are still the subject of much speculation, but in the immediate future, Google seems like a natural partner. Manual controls including a steering wheel and pedals are not required in test vehicles under the new bill (since there won't be anyone on hand to use them), but for safety's sake cars must not exceed 35MPH during trials. Google has been testing versions of its cute little driverless pods without any form of manual controls for some time now, as it's of the opinion that humans are simply not a "reliable backup" to its self-driving smarts.This article originally appeared on Engadget.Related Video: Government/Legal Honda Technology Emerging Technologies Autonomous Vehicles California politics engadget driverless

NYIAS: 2017 Honda Ridgeline marketing screwup

While checking out all the cars and trucks during the press days of the NYIAS I noticed that the Ridgeline was MIA at the Honda truck display on the lower level. Yes, it was on display at the Honda car display up on the main level — but this is a truck, not a car. Now critics of the Ridgeline will disagree with me here I'm sure, saying the Ridgeline was displayed exactly where it belongs: with Honda "cars." I beg to differ, obviously. There should have been several Ridgelines on display, and showing the various trim lines — and it should have been at both Honda displays. The one they did have on display was the high-zoot Black Edition, similar to the one pictured above. I spoke with Honda reps at both their car and truck displays about this, and their response was that the vehicle is not yet on sale. Duh... The last Ridgeline suffered from abandonment from Honda's marketing department, almost from the get-go; the result being dismal sales. If this new Ridgeline is to have any chance of succeeding, it needs to be plastered EVERYWHERE — and especially everywhere at one of the biggest auto shows on the planet. Truck buyers need to see it, touch it, sit in it, in all trim levels, and experience it as much as possible. What better place to do that than at the NYIAS? Yeah, it's not on sale yet, but it will be in a few short months. You blew it Honda. Big time. Again. Related Video: