Cars That Talk To Each Other

by Jeff Gilbert
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter

INTERVIEW: Ford researcher Mark Shulman talks about advances in vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

WASHINGTON (WWJ) We're seeing advances in technologies that prevent accidents by allowing vehicles to speak to each other about road conditions, and get information from the infrastructure.

Ford showing off a system in Washington DC, in advance of the upcoming Washington Auto Show, trying to let regulators and lawmakers know close this technology is to becoming a reality.

"We use this technology in our smart phones and our laptops," Ford researcher Mike Shulman told WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert. "It's really very affordable. It can do so much. We just need to bring the automobile into the 21st century."

The systems would allow vehicles to know road conditions that are coming up, and even give an alert when two vehicles are on a collision course.

"Ford believes intelligent cars that talk to each other through advanced WiFi are the next frontier of collision avoidance innovations that could revolutionize the driving experience with the potential of helping reduce many crashes," said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, in a statement.

Ford says it's doubling its investment in vehicle-to-vehicle communication research, and increasing the number of scientists that work on this technology.

"This really has a lot of potential," said Shulman. "NHTSA estimates that 81 per cent of all the vehicle to vehicle crashes with unimpaired drivers could be addressed by this."

The Washington demonstration is the first in a series of programs where Ford will show off the technology. They plan events at major technology hubs around the country.

Ford is not the only company working in vehicle-to-vehicle communications. But, as the systems move closer to reality, it's become important to make sure Ford's can communicate with Chevy's and Chrysler's can talk to Toyota's.

"We're working with automakers and government leaders worldwide to develop common standards globally, with the goal of developing intelligent vehicles quicker and more affordably," said Jim Vondale, the director of Ford's Automotive Safety Office, in a statement.

For the technology to have a large impact, it will need to be on a large number of vehicles. Government regulators are looking at making vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems mandatory, over the long term.

Ford's Shulman says the technology is close to the point where it can appear on a production vehicle.

"I would say in the next five years, this is a technology that would be coming to your vehicle, not just in a demonstration, but in your showroom."

Follow Jeff Gilbert on Twitter @jefferygilbert