Every time I get into my car I think about whether I should lock the doors. I don’t like the idea of getting into an accident and no one will be able to pull me out because the doors are locked. Then I worry about leaving my doors unlocked and having someone open one and jump in. That happened to me once.
I was driving my brother’s Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible uptown through the tunnel on Park Avenue when all of a sudden an inebriated suit opened the passenger door when I stopped at the red light. He sat right down and asked where we were going. I saw my whole life flash in front of me. I don’t remember what I said but before the light turned green he left.
I can remember the panic and shock as if it were yesterday. I often think about it. Apparently, the topic of auto entry is on the minds of a lot of people. Car companies are thinking more about getting into our automobiles too, especially when we are trapped inside of them. Mercedes-Benz just announced that they are placing QR codes on the fuel doors and the roofs of their new cars so that emergency responders can quickly get access.
According to the developer of this welcome solution, Mercedes said in a recent press call that the QR codes will link to a copy of the car’s schematics so that responders will know exactly where the tanks, batteries, and electrical wiring is located. The schematics, called ‘rescue sheets,’ will allow anyone with a smartphone or a tablet with a QR app to direct emergency personnel to a website with the specific rescue sheet they need to reference. Mercedes chose these two spots on the car to put the stickers because it seldom occurs that both these parts are badly damaged in the same accident, and they are furthermore easily accessible from the outside.
In a surprising move, Mercedes said QR codes can also be retrofitted for existing cars. The automaker is also waiving its right to patent this idea so that other car companies can implement this sort of technology.
DigiDame 