Nissan developing "Slip Hazard" warning system
Carmakers like Volvo and Mercedes-Benz are usually the pioneers of vehicle safety in this industry, but lately more and more companies are developing their own safety innovations and gadgets. Nissan's new safety technologies include a pop-up engine hood for the Skyline and now it has announced the development of a "slip-hazard warning system," which it's prepping for commercial use. The new system can detect slippery road conditions and alert the driver depending on how severe it is using "real-time voice alerts".The set-up works by relaying information from the antilock brakes through Nissan's Intelligent Transport System, a new feature that links the vehicle with third-party traffic data gathered from other motorists and local police as well as "historical records of the slippery points".
Initial testing is being conducted in the northern parts of Japan where it's common for roads to get covered in ice. This seems like one case of technology giving drivers an extra edge in safety without nannying them with useless safety gadgets.
[Source: Edmunds]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 6:03PM (10/03/2007)
Nissan's really stepping up to the plate lately with their safety innovations.
Cars are getting safer to drive and safer to crash.
I know, heavier and more expensive as well but if anybody who wants to point that out thinks for a second when they're crying over a loved one involved in some horrible crash that they would not of wished for a safer car or an easier way to avoid the accident then they are simply not being honest with themselves.
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Grain 11:35PM (10/03/2007)
Good post and very true. Kudos to Nissan.
SPG 6:03PM (10/03/2007)
Nissan's really stepping up to the plate lately with their safety innovations.
Cars are getting safer to drive and safer to crash.
I know, heavier and more expensive as well but if anybody who wants to point that out thinks for a second when they're crying over a loved one involved in some horrible crash that they would not of wished for a safer car or an easier way to avoid the accident then they are simply not being honest with themselves.
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Groovdog 7:39PM (10/03/2007)
pop hoods have been around for a couple of years, done in order to meet European pedestrian crash laws
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M Bell 4:57PM (10/04/2007)
I thought so!
Haven't been able to find confirmation, but didn't this first appear on the redesigned-for-2004 Jag XJ-series, courtesy of explosive hood supports or something?
Phillip 8:11PM (10/03/2007)
Maybe we should 1st learn to be better drivers, than have to rely on our cars to handle it all...
Or live on the wild side, drum brakes, lap belts, and a 3 ton tank of a truck that I have in my drive way. 1969 Chevy C10 (though will be updated with front disks and shoulder belts)
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dustin 12:39PM (10/04/2007)
No matter how good drivers get, the fact will remain that humans make mistakes.
sr20de 9:20AM (10/04/2007)
Nissan has the right idea with some of these innovations- giving the driver more information in order to drive their car more safely. I like the "education" concept better than the "add weight and over-engineer" concept in making cars safer.
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