Some day, 'talking cars' may save lives

Already under way, a group of car companies is working on safety systems using advanced WiFi signals and GPS systems to allow vehicles to communicate with each other on the road. These vehicles then could send messages to warn their drivers about the potential of a crash.

BY KEN THOMAS, Associated Press | Modified: January 25, 2011 at 2:24 pm | Published: January 25, 2011 Comment on this article

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WASHINGTON — Could "talking cars" save lives?

A group of car companies is developing safety systems using advanced WiFi signals and GPS systems that could allow vehicles to communicate with each other on the road. The cars could then send messages to warn their drivers about potential crashes.

Ford Motor Co. is demonstrating the technology for policy makers and journalists in advance of the Washington Auto Show. The technology sends out multiple messages per second about the vehicle's location, speed, brakes and steering.

If a vehicle detects a potential hazard, it can warn the driver. The technology aims to prevent collisions involving a car changing lanes, approaching a stalled vehicle, or heading into an intersection in which another car ignores a red light or a stop sign.