'Talking Cars' Tested In Michigan

Hundreds of vehicles propitious with pack that lets them "talk" to any other are being tested on the roads of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The technology is written to inform drivers to potentially dangerous situations in an bid to lower the number of accidents.

The year-long bid is organized by the US Department of Transport.

It says that the information collected could eventually lead to a change in the law requiring such safety equipment.

"This cutting-edge technology offers actual guarantee for enhancing both the safety and effectiveness of the roads," mentioned Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood . "That is a winning multiple for drivers opposite America."

More than 32,000 people died on the US's roads in 2011 due to crashes.

The supervision suggests 80% of the number of accidents that did not engage drugs, ethanol or a few such "driver impairment" could eventually be prevented if the technology works.

Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen have all supposing vehicles to be used. The plan has a $25m (15.8m) budget.

Nearly 500 trucks and buses are already versed with the communication gadgets that rest on technology identical to wi-fi. By the beginning of October that number is set to way up to about 2,800.

The pack will let vehicles send information to any other and choosen tools of the city's infrastructure.

Drivers will be warned if:

There is a danger they could collision in to other van at crossings where their perspective is restricted.

If other van is varying lanes in their blind spot.

If there is a danger of a read-end collision since the automobile in front of them has braked suddenly.

"[It] has the promising to be the best game-changer in alley safety," mentioned National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's David Strickland.

"But we must be comprehend how to request the technology in an efficient way in the actual world."

Alternatives to the technologies entangled in the plan are already on the market.

For e.g. Bosch offers an ultrasonic sensor that registers objects 3 metres to a car's side that the expostulate may not be able to see. Nissan has moreover introduced a car-mounted radio detector that monitors the thoroughfare forward and relates the brakes if it thinks a collision is imminent.

The US supervision is attempting to emanate a higher network that does not rest on pack being able to "see" a complaint - but one consultant warned that the innovation's success would be paltry until every van was compulsory to have the vital gear.

"This is a typical box of standards wanting to be applied," Prof David Bailey, an automotive consultant at Coventry Business School, told the BBC.

"There is indication that consumers are peaceful to pay for this type of safety equipment, but to pierce the marketplace on you may need a few type of regulatory change.

"So the amount of time it will take before we see it turn extensive will depend on both either the technology is viable and how rapidly governments are expected to urge that vehicles exercise it. If they do not pull hard it could still be 30 to 40 years away."

In Europe Volvo is working on an substitute wireless technology in that cars "follow" a lead vehicle, mimicking its activities and combining a convoy.

The technology is written to be used on motorways permitting the motorist to palm over manage and relax during segment of the journey.