Coming soon: Self-braking car that saves lives

Sydney, August 01 (ANI): Road accidents may soon become history - thanks to a new self-braking car technology.

The car's crash-avoidance technology will include radar and sonar sensors that will detect people and objects behind the vehicle and automatically stop the car.

Automotive company Nissan has developed the system.

But the technology will not be available in Australia for at least a couple of years.

Volvo, in 2010, will start selling its S60 sedan, which by using cameras and radar can detect pedestrians and apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to warnings.

Carmakers Audi are also working on similar technology, with the aim of reducing pedestrian injuries and fatalities that make up about 13 per cent of Australia's approximate 1400 annual road toll.

Nissan engineering director Masao Fukushima said that the avoidance technology used an extension of existing systems, including parking sensors and blind-spot warnings, so it would be relatively inexpensive.

"By using the existing technology, we can bring it in at a lower price," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Fukushima as saying. (ANI)