S. Korean engineers develop advanced vehicle collision warning system

By Lee Joon-seung

SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- South Korean engineers said Tuesday they have developed a vehicle collision early warning system that could help reduce traffic accidents.

The Vehicle Multi-hop Communication system developed by the Electronics and
Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) is designed to give real-time
warning to drivers about emergency situations such as a car stopping suddenly on
a highway.
Such capabilities can help drivers reduce speed, veer away from danger or brake
in a timely manner.
The Daejeon-based laboratory said the research carried out with Hyundai Motor Co.
was tested to be effective on vehicles travelling at 200 km per hour. In
addition, the system has the potential to be used in manufacturing future "smart"
cars, as well as establishing an Intelligent Transportation System.
Compared to the Dedicated Short Range Communication system in limited use at
present, the new technology is designed to give both vehicle-to-vehicle and
vehicle-to-network warnings, ETRI added.
The technology is expected to be applied commercially around 2010, with the
laboratory having acquired 21 patents in the development process.
Engineers said because the technology was developed in line with international
standards, it could be exported abroad and may result in cutting traffic-related
damages by 1 trillion won (US$682.1 million) per year.