Car that stops itself if you’re about to crash
MAZDA is developing a car which will take over from the driver if it believes it’s about to crash.
The Japanese company, famous for its MX-5 two-seater sports car, is launching what it calls a copilot system that will brake the vehicle if it veers out of control or fails to stop for other traffic.
Bosses believe that the technology, which could be on the road by 2020, will enable older drivers to stay behind the wheel but reduce the risk of accidents.
It could also prevent crashes caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel, or who have panic attacks or illnesses while driving.
Future developments could see the car connected to the emergency services if a driver falls ill.
Senior managing executive officer Kiyoshi Fujiwara said: ‘By monitoring the steering wheel, the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal we can understand what is happening with a driver. By using this information we can help the car to recognise danger and take action.’
Mazda’s co-pilot system works by monitoring the driver’s hands on the steering wheel, and their feet on the brake and accelerator pedals. Cars will also be equipped with self-driving technology, such as cameras and sensors that monitor other cars and where the vehicle is positioned on the road.
Computer systems developed by Mazda, which is in partnership with rival Toyota to develop autonomous driving systems, will use millions of bits of information pieced together from accidents so that an on-board computer can tell whether the car has reacted to a hazard. It the car registers stopped traffic, but also sees the driver has failed to slow, the car can automatically brake to avoid a crash.
And in a further development it will almost instantaneously be able to tell whether the erratic movements of the car are because the driver has lost control of the vehicle, for instance if they have had a stroke or heart attack.
While many car makers are developing self- driving cars, Mazda plans to have vehicles with two modes – self-driving for heavy traffic and in cities, and the co-pilot mode so drivers can take control themselves on open roads, but with the back-up of Mazda’s safety measures.
Fujiwara said: ‘This technology has the potential to allow drivers to be on the road at 100 years old and still drive safely.’