Synchronized Driving

University of Missouri-Kansas City researchers are making headway on "self-synchronizing moving objects" -- that is, getting cars to communicate with each other on highways so they can travel at faster speeds without accidents.

1 minute read

August 14, 2010, 1:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


In an article focused on the latest technology in driverless cars, Vijay Kumar, a professor of computer science at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, explains that his interest lies in taking the idea to a higher level of functionality:

"He wants to go beyond cars that simply avoid crashing, to vehicles whose computers communicate with one another. In his scenario, vehicles will be able to move in harmony, maximizing efficiency and even eliminating the need for traffic lights or other outside controls.

'Initially, a voice-activated system will give commands to the driver,' he said. 'Later, a fully automatic system will be developed in which the driver would not have any role to play.'"

Friday, August 13, 2010 in The Kansas City Star

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