Ford's new Smart Intersection system 31 Jul 2008

Ford's new "Smart Intersection" system aims to dramatically reduce the number of accidents caused by driver distraction. It works like so: The traffic lights at each Smart Intersection are fitted with a GPS and a communications antenna. If the lights are red, and the intersection detects that you are approaching too quickly, a wireless signal is sent from the communications antenna to the system in your vehicle. In less than a second thereafter, your vehicle will give you both an audible and visual alarm indicating that you need to stop (in the video clip above you'll hear a voice say "stop light" or "stop sign" and see red LED lights flashing on the dashboard/instrument display in tandem).

When I first saw this video, my immediate thought was "It'll never work!" - mainly because of the logistical nightmare (and expense) of having to equip every intersection in the world with this new gear. That said however, Ford has already partnered-up with General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Daimler and the US Federal Government in developing this system - so it does seem to have the right level of support.

See also: Opel Eye.