The Weber Report

I found this neat toy on Techno Ride.  I've sometimes dreamed of using a gadget similar to this when I'm driving home from work. 

Basically, you stick up an electronic display in the back window of your car.  When someone cut's you off or give's you permission to merge in, you push a button on a remote which flashes a frowning face or a “Thanks” to them. 

Unfortunately, the product lacks in several area's. 

First, it only has four options: 1) Smiley Face, 2) Frowny Face, 3) Thank You, 4) Back Off.  While these options are still useful, it seems fairly obvious that they purposely limited the stuff you could say (likely to avoid law-suits from road rage victim's). 

Also, why make it round?  Seems like an odd choice for a device designed to display text.  Why not make it square or rectangle?  Am I being overly critical?

Fortunately, the company who made this device, AU-MY Ltd., has discontinued this version and is promising a new version in early 2006 (which means they are running late since they still haven't released it yet).

I hope they follow through with this promise!  Even more than that, I hope it has lot's a chilling statements such as “I know I'm hot, but stop riding my bumper” or “Thanks, now I know how to be a jerk when driving!”.  Potentially much more damaging statements could be custom programmed in by the user and I could see a whole revolution of messaging occurring on the interstate. 

Tagged: AU-MY, AU-MY Ltd., Drive-Emocion