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GM Developing Smartphone-based Pedestrian Detection System

GM has turned its boffins to the next phase in pedestrian safety, utilising the now ubiquitous smartphone in a new collision avoidance system. Based on the Wi-Fi Direct technology now found in many phones, GM hopes the system will allow cars to kno


GM has turned its boffins to the next phase in pedestrian safety, utilising the now ubiquitous smartphone in a new collision avoidance system.

Based on the Wi-Fi Direct technology now found in many phones, GM hopes the system will allow cars to know when a smartphone-carrying pedestrian is nearby.

Depending on driver settings and the situation, the system would then display a visual warning or sound an alert.

GM says the advantage of Wi-Fi Direct is that it allows the system to detect and communicate with nearby devices in one to two seconds, compared to seven or eight seconds for regular wireless systems.

With a detection range of around 200 metres, GM says the technology could also be used to synchronise music and data from a home computer or handheld device to the car without leaving the house.

The plan is not without its flaws: GM admits that for the system to work, pedestrians would need to install a dedicated app, and Wi-Fi Direct would need to be active. The constant connecting would also be a drain on phone batteries.

For cars alone, GM is already working on a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) system, offering the same collision-avoidance benefits.

In the future, the technology could also supplement GPS technology by alerting drivers to nearby traffic jams and accidents. 

 

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