Slide Shows | Technology

Look Out!: Ann Arbor Cars to Communicate with One Another to Avoid Crashes [Slide Show]

Michigan is pilot testing vehicle-to-vehicle signals that lets cars, trucks and buses alert drivers to danger

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TEST FLEET:
thumb: TEST FLEET:

TEST FLEET:

In Ann Arbor, MIch., the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and eight automakers kicked off a year-long test to determine whether vehicles that talk to each other can prevent accidents....[More]

V2V VW GTI:
thumb: V2V VW GTI:

V2V VW GTI:

Volkswagen installed a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications system in a GTI for the year-long road test. If this technology is eventually brought to market, the actual systems would be much more compact....[More]

GTI-SPY:
thumb: GTI-SPY:
GTI-SPY:

The VW GTI is equipped with several cameras, including this one mounted on the front fender.

[Link to this slide]
Courtesy of Susan Kuchinskas
DID YOU SEE THAT? MAYBE NOT:
thumb: DID YOU SEE THAT? MAYBE NOT:
DID YOU SEE THAT? MAYBE NOT:

A camera mounted on the Volkswagen GTI's headliner can record the driver's reactions to warning signals and traffic events.

[Link to this slide]
Courtesy of Susan Kuchinskas
EYE ON THE ROAD:
thumb: EYE ON THE ROAD:
EYE ON THE ROAD:

Another camera mounted on the VW GTI's windshield records traffic in front of the car.

[Link to this slide]
Courtesy of Susan Kuchinskas
SMART MOVES:
thumb: SMART MOVES:

SMART MOVES:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is also testing aftermarket communications devices like this one from Savari, which could be installed on vehicles after they've left the dealer....[More]

LOOK OUT!:
thumb: LOOK OUT!:
LOOK OUT!:

A warning appears on the navigation system of this Hyundai Sonata, alerting the driver of an impending rear-end collision.

[Link to this slide]
Courtesy of Susan Kuchinskas
SIDE WARNING:
thumb: SIDE WARNING:
SIDE WARNING:

Auto manufacturers in the safety pilot take different approaches to warning signals. In this Ford Escape, a light signals another car in the blind spot. The driver also hears a warning tone.

[Link to this slide]
Courtesy of Susan Kuchinskas
LOOKS BOTH WAYS:
thumb: LOOKS BOTH WAYS:
LOOKS BOTH WAYS:

The three red dots traveling from right to left in this Ford Escape alert the driver to a car entering an intersection from the right.
 

[Link to this slide]
Courtesy of Susan Kuchinskas
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