After Hours

Photos: Crash-free Caddies

By · July 18, 2006, 8:44 AM PST · billdetwiler

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  • Two prototype Cadillac STS sedans outfitted with wireless antennae and computer chips, which allow the cars to communicate on the road. Global Positioning System antennae are the third component that completes the vehicle-to-vehicle V2V system, but GPS comes standard in the in-production Cadillac. All photos taken in the Pac Bell parking lot in San Francisco.

    Stefanie Olsen

  • Inside the Cadillac STS sedan, augmented with a wireless communication system. The dashboard includes a digital display that shows icons whenever a car is within a quarter of a mile. The icon may change from green to yellow if the car comes within cautionary distance. If a collision seems likely the icon will change to red, and the seat will begin to vibrate, alerting the driver to stop or change lanes. If turned on, an automatic breaking feature will stop the car immediately in such an event.

    Stefanie Olsen

  • The hood of the Cadillac STS sedan with a GPS sensor in white (left) and a black wireless antennae (right).

    Stefanie Olsen

  • Inside the trunk of the Cadillac STS sedan. The Cadillac prototype itself has four computers situated in the trunk, along with a GPS system and wireless communication module. But by the time the cars would be ready for production, in five to 10 years, GM would have reduced much of the software into a single chip, or firmware.

    Stefanie Olsen

  • Left is Priyantha Mudalige, senior research engineer at GM and one of the four engineers who built the V2V technology. Right is staff research engineer Hariharan Krishnan, who also worked on the prototype in GM's electrical and controls integration lab.

    Stefanie Olsen

Inside the Cadillac STS sedan, augmented with a wireless communication system. The dashboard includes a digital display that shows icons whenever a car is within a quarter of a mile. The icon may change from green to yellow if the car comes within cautionary distance. If a collision seems likely the icon will change to red, and the seat will begin to vibrate, alerting the driver to stop or change lanes. If turned on, an automatic breaking feature will stop the car immediately in such an event.

Stefanie Olsen

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the ...

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