Are you familiar with the American television series "Knight Rider"? Do you remember the intriguing talking car used by David Hasselhoff as Michael Knight?
Do you imagine how cars will talk to other cars surrounding you? Research groups are developing wireless technology that will allow vehicles to communicate with each other. In this process cars collect local data from their immediate surroundings, process this information and exchange it with other cars. An intelligent computer system decides whether and when a car is to transmit a hazard warning to another vehicle.
Digital wireless communication in ad-hoc networks ensures a significant leap in this technology. Ad-hoc communication networks based on wireless LAN technology provide the possibility to give a virtually unlimited range of performance and making the car itself serving not only as the sender and receiver, but also as the router.
The technology enhances the benefits of dynamic navigation systems. For example the car transmits information regarding any obstacles and the like. On the navigation screen, the driver sees not only his own position, but also that of other vehicles’, following from behind and of the vehicle ahead. Ensuring a convenient and safety travel at all times.
Further, the car also acts like a sensor. The car "senses" the current situation, monitoring weather conditions, traffic flow, road conditions and the car's surroundings, whether the road is slippery, whether there is fog, whether conditions are wet, or whether there is a traffic jam and other conditions.
Then, what can you say about the car in the future?
