Radar technology could soon be available in vehicles besides luxury cars. 07/26/2011
Automotive safety has come a very long way in a short time and radar technology, which has been available for the past decade, is about to get a major boost. Many auto safety companies are developing smaller, less expensive radar systems that will be available in more than just luxury cars, according to The Boston Globe.
Adaptive cruise control is available with radar technology. A car in cruise control mode can sense when another car ahead slows down and will automatically lower the car's speed as well. It is also able to bring the car back up to the cruising speed without the driver ever needing to touch the gas pedal, the news source reports.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently examined insurance claims to get an idea of the effectiveness of Volvo's radar crash avoidance system. The researchers found that the Volvo XC60 had half as many injury-related crash claims than comparable midsize luxury SUVs.
Toyota also recently revealed that they are working to develop new safety technology as well, including a crash avoidance system that relies on radar to sense danger around the vehicle.