Wireless V2V Tech, the New Backseat Driver?

By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

Don’t get enough backseat driving from your spouse? Or don’t do enough of it yourself? Be prepared, as GM demonstrated a new system that will let your car tell you you’re about to mess up … though not anytime in the near future.

On Thursday, General Motors demonstrated a vehicle-to-vehicle, or V2V, wireless communication system that alerts you when a collision is imminent. The automaker equipped regular Cadillac STS sedans with wireless and Global Positioning System antennae and computer chips that allow the cars to communicate with other vehicles with similar equipment.

The technology, demonstrated here with three cars navigating a special course, creates what could be described as a digital-driving symphony. The wireless technology in one car detects the presence of the other two Cadillacs and avoids collisions by either alerting the driver of danger or by automatically stopping the vehicle in an emergency. Source: News.com

We Say: Much as in this earlier story which involved replacing rearview mirrors with sensors, with more technology there’s more to break. However, to me this is more akin to anti-lock brakes … in other words, an emergency backup to you, the driver. It sounds like a great idea if they can iron out the bugs (and handle security … definitely don’t want hackers getting in); according to GM it will be 5 - 10 years, so they have plenty of time to get it right.