Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Screens on Semitrucks Could Prevent Collisions

Passing trucks on the road can be dangerous, especially on single lane roads, which limit visibility. Samsung is experimenting with technology that could mitigate that issue.

The company’s “Safety Truck” employs front-facing cameras that display to screens in the rear that show trailing drivers what’s coming ahead. With extra visibility, drivers looking to pass the truck would no longer need to drive into the opposite lane to see if another vehicle is oncoming. Samsung says this technology might reduce the risk of crashes caused by sudden braking or animals crossing the road.

Samsung is also evaluating the economic viability of the technology. Cameras are not terribly expensive, but four displays per truck would be a major investment, especially since companies would not see any direct financial benefit from them.