If we've learned one thing from three decades of watching Arnold Schwarzenegger films, it's that you should never allow computers to become too intelligent. A shame then that Jaguar appears not to have learned from the Terminator playbook, because it is developing new intelligent technologies that it says will help to alleviate the stresses and distractions that are now all too common behind the wheel.
The first round of techy stuff is essentially a clever phone and in-car system that can monitor your diary and learn your regular movements. Through a combination of the satnav, phone system and other functions future Jaguars will, for instance, know whether you are on your way to the gym or not, and adjust the cabin temperature accordingly to warm you up or cool you down on the way back. If you're heading towards your kids' sports day, it will remind you to pick up their PE kit. If you're stuck in traffic and going to be late, it will text or email ahead so that the office doesn't get mad with you. It can even talk to the Adaptive Cruise Control so that it can drive the car in the manner you normally would, picking up your driving style and preferences as it does so.
Dr Wolfgang Epple, Director of Research and Technology for Jaguar Land Rover, said: "The aim of our self-learning technology is to minimise driver distraction, which will help reduce the risk of accidents. Presenting the driver with information just at the right time whilst driving will reduce both cognitive distraction and the need for the driver to look away from the road to scroll through phone lists, or adjust mirrors, temperature or seat functions while on the road.
"Up until now most self-learning car research has only focused on traffic or navigation prediction. We want to take this a significant step further and our new learning algorithm means information learnt about you will deliver a completely personalised driving experience and enhance driving pleasure."
Wait. There's more. If there's one thing we wanted from the Terminator films (aside from, you know, nuclear holocaust and all that) it was the ultra-cool 'targeting vision' that Ahhhh-nold uses to decide exactly whose clothes, boots and motorcycle he's going to take. Well, Jag's working on something similar in this regard too. An augmented reality windscreen, which turns the entire front screen into a massive head-up display, and allows a myriad of information to be displayed, according to Jag boffins, without the driver having to take his or her eyes off the road.
While this would obviously be useful for displaying navigation instructions, or pointing out interesting locations to stop off for a sandwich, Jaguar is also talking about using a special on-track mode that would display the ideal racing line through a particular corner, or even a 'ghost car' image of how you were driving on a previous lap.
The system is supposed to be touch free and instead uses the sort of 'gesture controls' that are becoming more widespread on expensive TVs.
Dr Wolfgang Epple (yes, him again) said: "We are working on research projects that will give the driver better information to enhance the driving experience. By presenting the highest quality imagery possible, a driver need only look at a display once. Showing virtual images that allow the driver to accurately judge speed and distance will enable better decision-making and offer real benefits for every-day driving on the road, or the track. "Gesture control has already become an accepted form of controlling anything from TV sets to games consoles. The next logical step is to control selected in-car features. We have identified which functions still need to be controlled by physical buttons and which could be controlled by gesture and carefully calibrated motion sensors," said Dr Epple. "The system is currently being tested on a number of features including sunblinds, rear wipers and satellite navigation maps. It has the potential to be on sale within the next few years."
Anything else?
If one day, your Jaguar decides to drive off down the road by itself and texts you a message saying simply "I'll be back..." we'd start panicking a bit...