Healey has an idea for how to make driving significantly safer – let our cars talk to each other and share data about their position and velocity, so they can do the work of avoiding accidents for us. Healey points out that this method would give us a sense of all the cars on the road – not just the ones in our field of vision. There would be no surprise motorcycle pulling around you or truck coming out of nowhere, because your car would know exactly where these other vehicles have been and would be able to predict where they’re going. Vehicles would be able to create the safest routes for all parties on the road, actively avoiding accidents.
Healey says that testing for this system has been done in computer simulations and is now moving to robotic models.
It’s a fascinating idea, given in a passionate presentation. Here, other great TED Talks with ideas about cars.
- Chris Bangle says great cars are Art
- Sebastian Thrun: Google’s driverless car
- Chris Gerdes: The future racecar – 150 mph, and no driver
- Larry Burns on the future of cars
- Steven Levitt on child carseats
- Robin Chase: Excuse me, may I rent your car?
- Dennis Hong: Making a car for blind drivers
Read up on 5 cars of the future in this TED Blog piece »
Watch 12 talks about the future of cars, planes and rockets »
And check out 9 transportation devices that could make your commute far more fun »