World’s Most High-Tech Car Features

Nissan has designed an intelligent transportation system that allows vehicle-to-infrastructure communication to help reduce traffic accidents, ease congestion, and provide fastest-route information. The system receives information from other vehicles as well as road side optical beacons to wirelessly alert drivers to potential traffic hazards and help avoid them.

Michelin is literally reinvemting the wheel. Its airless, integrated tire-and-wheel combination delivers superior performance that absorbs shock better than conventional pneumatic road-grippers.

BMW’s new Night Vision driver-assistance system uses thermal imaging for night driving. A thermal imaging camera detects objects that radiate heat, such as human beings, animals, and other vehicles in front of the car before they are visible to the human eye. The image is then transmitted to the central Control Display on the dahsboard. The system is most effective in rural and unlit areas.

BMW’s protoype Remote Park Assist allows the driver to stand beside the car while it parks itself in the garage. The car can be reversed from the parking place with the driver monitoring pedestrian traffic, removing the isk of reversing into children or pets. Vehicle guidance is contolled via the key fob, and the car moves at 2.5km/h, half the speed of walking.

Attention big-spending Mac users : Until now, all existing multimedia and business systems on wheels were based on PC technology. But German company Mattes Intereurtechnik has developed a high-end in-car system based on an Apple imac G5, whose entire hardware in turn is integrated into the 17-inch monitor that is only 5 centimeters thick. The iMac G5 system can be integrated into any car.

In order to help prevent accidents, Nissan has developed a Distance Control Assist System, an electronic system that help drivers control the distancebetween themselves and the vehicle in front. The system is able to determine teh distance to the car in front, as well as the relative speed of both cars, using a radar sensor in front bumper.

Fiat Auto and Microsoft will offer Blue & Me, an in-car communications platform that can be adapted to most mobile phones, digital media players, and other mobile devices. The customer is free to change them with new models without compromising compatibility with the car. Blue & Me guarantees maximum security levels and user-friendliness. The voice-activated system, the complete integration of steering wheel control buttons and information on the dashboard display will allow users to use any Bloutooth-based mobile phone, even if it is in a pocket or handbag, without removing their hands from the steering wheel.

The Rinspeed Splash uses an electronically controlled hydraulic system, with an array of sophisticated sensors, that raises and lowers a conventional three-bladed propeller and hydrofoils and allows the car to attain up to 28 knots. The swiss-made car crossed the english Channel in July, 2006, in 193 minutes, 47 seconds.

BMW recently introduced into limited production the BMW Hydrogen 7, the world’s first hydrogen-drive performance automobile for everyday use. Running in hydrogen mode, the car emits almost nothing but water vapor, and still accelerates from zero to 62,1 mph in 9.5 seconds. And the supply of hydrogen is virtually unlimited.

For the 2002 Steven Speilberg fim Minority Report, which starred Tom Cruise, the director and Lexus worked together ti imagine cars 50 years in the future. One of the coolest concepts was DNA-recognition entry and ignition system that responded only to the owner, a great way to prevent theft, as well as keeping your teenager from borrowing the car when you’re out of town. Other cool ideas from the film included self-cleaning cars and cars that changed color on command.