Drivemocion — Put on a smiley face... on your car?

That's the idea behind Au-My's Drivemocion (above and below).

Elva Ramirez wrote about it in the March 22, 2007 Wall Street Journal; her article follows.

Instant Messaging For the Traffic-Bound

What It Is: Drivers no longer have to rely on a hand wave or a bumper sticker to send a message to fellow motorists. Car-to-car messaging products range from cute light-up smiley faces to customizable electronic mini-billboards. You also can have an actual conversation with another motorist on a shared, anonymous cellular service that mixes social networking and driving.

How to Get It: Au-My's Drivemocion flashes sad or smiley faces as well as text messages such as "Thanks," "Back off" and the more pointed "Idiot" to other drivers. Battery-powered Drivemocion sticks to the back window with a suction cup and is controlled by a wireless remote. For those who want more of a say in messaging, they can set up personalized scrolling mini-billboards in a car window or on a license plate. Motion LED's mobile billboard also attaches to a window with a suction cup and is controlled via remote. The Mini version holds up to nine messages, while the Pro-series holds up to 24 notes. Roadmaster's digital license-plate frame scrolls messages in red letters in three different speeds. Drivers who sign up with Delta Meridian Inc.'s SameLane place stickers on their car and register their license plate and cellphone; when they come across each other, they call the service, which rings up the fellow SameLane member.

Upside: You can thank people for letting you cut in front of them on the highway. You can flirt or compare traffic notes, should others deign to pick up the phone. SameLane protects actual phone numbers by disguising the caller ID.

Downside: There are enough distractions to driving and the technology is only as friendly as the people behind the wheel. Drivemocion's smiley faces are harmless but flashing "Idiot" to someone could be inviting trouble. With LED messages, you may irritate just about every driver behind you forced to watch the scrolling red lights.

Cost: Order the Drivemocion (starting at around $25) from www.au-my.com. Motion LEDs range from $150 to $600 and can be purchased from www.motionled.com. Digital license plates from Roadmaster run $60 at www.roadmasterusa.com/accessories_rm.php. SameLane is expected to be available to the public May 2007; registration is free at samelane.com. The first three-minute call is free after which you have to purchase time in $10 increments; minutes will show up on your cellphone bill.

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For people who live in road rage-prone cities, Au-My might considering offering a "Thank you for not shooting" version.