Being a Clear Registered Traveler may have some perks while traveling in the USA i.e. you can zip through airport security checkpoints in under three minutes.

Costing $99.95 a year, a Clear membership tells the airport security screener that you have passed a governmental background check and not on the most wanted list.

Clear is currently operating in 5 US airports i.e. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG), Indianapolis (IND),New York JFK Terminal 7 (JFK), Orlando (MCO) and San José (SJC).

You can get ahead of the line by going to the assigned Clear lane, a Clear attendant will check your boarding pass, clear card and an approved photo ID. You’ll then be directed to a Clear verification kiosk where it’ll read your card, prompt for a biometric iris scan and scan your shoes for explosives without removing your footwear. Once you are verified, you’ll receive a stamp or receipt to proof your are a Clear member but will still be subjected to metal detectors or x-ray machines operated and regulated by the TSA.

This could be an advantage if you travel out of those airports. Continental OnePass Frequent Flyer members could do the same sort of thing for free (with enough airline miles). However, at the moment, I really don’t see the point if you still need to go through the standard security checks and if it still doesn’t assure you that you won’t be randomly searched or inspected. Clear has said that they will eventually offer full body scanners (in addition to what is currently available now) but unless that would have me bypass further security checks, I still believe it is a program that has little benefit and value.

Nevertheless, Clear currently claims to have over 35,000 customers. Kiosks are currently being in New York JFK T1, New York JFK T4, Newark Terminal B, Toronto Airport (YYZ) with over 20 more airports considering them.

The blackbox, a known device in airplanes designed to provide the final record in the event of a crash. Enter the Roadbox, the automobile’s equivalent.

Designed by PLK Technologies under Hyundai Motors, this device records your car’s diagnostics like speed and acceleration while visually monitoring your driving through a wide screen [120 degree] video camera.

“The RoadBox captures crucial accident data at the moment of crash by recording accident images and vehicle acceleration data 14 seconds before a collision and for six seconds after impact,” says Abu Sharkh, PLK General Manager.

Now while PLK state that the Roadbox can withstand temperature of up to 85 degrees Celsius, they don’t mention the device’s strength - which when talking about anything like a blackbox, is the most important spec.

We do, however, acknowledge the function of such a device after any car accident. Imagine having proof, on video, you weren’t in the wrong?

The Roadbox fetches around US$175.

Via [CoolestGadgets] Product [PLK]

Dash Express is currently the smartest GPS Auto Navigation system out on the market. It is the first system with two-way internet connectivity that delivers the most relevant and most up to date news. Map and software to the system is done wirelessly (the first of its kind).

Now you can key in your destination and it will be able to tell you the fastest route to your destination based on speed, location and traffic. With the GPS data being constantly updated, any weather conditions, traffic congestion will reprogram your route automatically to provide an alternative route. Locations and products can also be found with the power of the internet e.g. you can find the gas station with the best prices in your area too.

One other great feature is that you can send an address directly from an Internet browser or Microsoft Outlook to your car. If you are lost and you don’t know the address, just call someone at home and asked them to beam it to your car.

Pricing details are not released as yet and it should be available within the next few months.

Product Page [Dash]

A car that can drive itself will soon be a reality, in the style of Herbie and Knight Rider.

VW (Volkswagen) has announced that they have developed a system of electronic eyes using radar/ laser sensors that link up with a computer and GPS navigation system.

The prototype test car was able to navigate its way around a course on a race circuit, and at some stages reached speeds of over 150 mph! They may yet have to do a lot for the intelligence of the system (to think for itself) as the race circuit was programmed into memory but this is a good start.

This is a sensational achievement of design and technology. It may very well pave the way for advanced automatic driving car systems on freeways and normal roads in the future.

Read [Daily Mail]