Trucking Technology Alert - Aug. 30
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Both the online report and e-mail are sponsored by @Track Communications, a supplier of wireless communications and dispatch services.
Today's Technology Headlines:
- Silicon Valley Home to Infamous Dead Zone
- IBM Debuts High-Tech Car
- Two Gasoline Giants Unveil Truck Stop Locator
- FCC Raises Stakes in Wireless Spectrum Battle
Silicon Valley Home to Infamous Dead Zone
In San Jose, Calif., Sand Hill Road near Interstate 280 has one of the worst wireless phone connections in the area, despite the fact that the area is a center of venture capitalism.Venture capitalists regularly hear their phones crackle as they drive through the area, while others have to abandon calls or pull over to the side of the road to finish conversations before entering the dead zone. The reasons for these problems range from presence of hills, to resistance from local people who do not want new antenna towers, to the presence of heavy traffic.
IBM Debuts High-Tech Car
IBM recently showed off its modified TechMobile car at the LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco. The modified 2002 Ford Explorer provides users with Internet-based remote control of a vehicle.The car combines current products with future technologies from IBM's research laboratories, and it also includes technologies from TSpaces, BlueDrekar, Blue Eyes and Bluetooth. Moreover, the TechMobile comes equipped with IBM's ViaVoice for Linux, through which the horn, sound system, locks, windows, lights and email can be controlled. IBM's car also has its own handheld Linux PC and an Internet server, both of which use TSpaces technology that allows Java-enabled devices to exchange information with only a tiny amount of programming.
The car also includes a new technology from IBM's AlphaWorks development team called Blue Eyes, which warns drivers when they fall asleep at the wheel. Blue Eyes detects the frequency of eye blinks and movement of the retina using an infrared camera. If Blue Eyes does not detect a driver's eyeballs, the system assumes the driver is sleeping and sets off an alarm. VNUNet (08/29/01); Geralds, John
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Two Gasoline Giants Unveil Truck Stop Locator
Shell and Texaco have debuted the Truckstop Finder, an online tool enabling truckers to search for truck stops by location and by services provided.Another tool, Route Planner, gives the locations of Shell and Texaco gasoline stations on the way. The tools are available at www.countonshell.com and www.texaco.com. Refrigerated Transporter (08/01) Vol. 39, No. 3, P. 40
The additional bands give the FCC some leeway as the agency prepares to deliver its decisions on allocating spectrum for mobile use. FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell says a decision could come before September. The FCC must find enough spectrum to support 3G high-speed wireless data, and the effort has generated a high-charged battle between telecommunications companies, schools, and the Defense Department.
Although the FCC initially chose the spectrum used by schools as the best place for 3G, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration said the 1,710-1,890 MHz would be a better selection. However, schools and the Pentagon do not want to move or share their bandwidth because of reasons related to money and national security. Computerworld (08/20/01) Vol. 35, No. 34, P. 15; Brewin, Bob
FCC Raises Stakes in Wireless Spectrum Battle
After initially selecting the 2,500-2,690 radio frequency spectrum as the best MHz band to support third-generation wireless services, the FCC has come up with several other bands, including 2,165-2,200 MHz for mobile satellite service and land mobile use.
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