Toyota is testing smart cars that talk to each other and to the roads on the 700-MHz band with the goal of reducing traffic accidents. Toyota says its Intelligent Transport System test site "is equipped with a road-to-vehicle communications system consisting of a vehicle detection system, a pedestrian detection system, a course monitoring system, traffic signals, and control devices." Toyota announced the Intelligent Clearance Sonar system and the Drive-start Control system, both of which are designed to eliminate traffic casualties.
"The system that Toyota and Microsoft plan to deploy will be unique in at least one respect: For electric and plug-in hybrid electric cars, the partnership's telematics will provide energy management services, in which plug-in cars 'talk' to one another," reports CNNMoney. Toyota plans to test its smart car technology on some Japanese roads starting in 2014.
"Technology is available so that connected cars could be on the road nationwide in under 10 years," says University of Michigan researcher Peter Sweatman. Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai/Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Toyota, and Volkswagen/Audi all have supplied vehicles for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Connected Vehicle Safety Pilot program.
From Network World
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