Autoweek ran a story called Big Brother under the hood

http://autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=101136

Basically concerning black boxes that can record data in the event where the computer thinks a crash is inevitable (hard braking, etc). But, where will this go next? Constant data logging, monitoring? Police have already attempted to use this to incriminate drivers even though the information isn't exactly 100% accurate (One Ferrari driver proved the computer wrong when crash scene investigators findings show he was only going 50 mph instead of the 71 the data logger showed). NISSAN DOES NOT USE Data Recorders for anything other than making sure the air bag was depolyed in an accident! Glad I got a Z

 

Get ready, its going to be commonly used.

 

wait... what about other japanese automakers? toyota/lexus, honda/acura? i dont care much about other small/big japanese automaker (other than what i listed above). what about mercedes?

 

I am pretty sure that BMW uses these in their cars as well. When I was down at the factory in SC, they had a Z8 in for bodywork (there are only 3 locations in the country they let do repairs on the aluminum bodywork and that is one).

It had been in an accident, and had alot of mechanical damage as well as cosmetic. They told us that the computer in the car showed that the driver misshifted on a downshift and that the engine saw upward of 9000 RPM (i think that was the number). They were able to use this information to keep themselves from being held liable.

Big brother IS watching.