Although autonomous cars are not yet available in the mainstream marketplace, the rise of driver assistance technology is changing the way that modern vehicles operate, making them safer and easier to drive. Here is a look at the various systems that are making cars smarter today.

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Blind spot detection

All aspiring motorists learn about the blind spot, but many people forget to check it when making manoeuvres at low speeds or changing lanes on the motorway. Thankfully, blind spot detection was created by engineers at Volvo around ten years ago, to help alert drivers to hazards that they might not be able to see themselves.

It does this through the use of sensors which keep tabs on vehicles and road users which are behind or directly to the side of your car, occupying the area which may be hidden from view. When a problem arises, a visual indicator will alert the driver on the dash and an audio warning may also be issued.

Lane departure warning

A camera built into the car can check how well you are holding your course and let you know if you have drifted out of your lane accidentally, which might lead to an accident occurring. This might occur if you are distracted or indeed if you are tired, so it is a good indicator that it is time to take a break if you have been behind the wheel for a while.

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On-board cameras

Incidents involving cars are still a major problem, with fatalities remaining unacceptably high. Because of this, car and truck camera setups, like those available from sites including www.backwatch.co.uk, are an excellent investment for those who want to protect themselves and others.

Adaptive cruise control

Sensors mounted on the front of a car can keep a check on the distance between it and the vehicle in front. Then, rather than using cruise control to maintain the same speed no matter what is on the road ahead, the speed can automatically be adjusted to suit the situation from second to second, which makes driving in traffic a dream.

Automatic emergency braking

Many modern cars come with automatic braking, which kicks in after a collision is detected, or it can use sensors to predict when an accident is about to occur and apply the brakes automatically, even if the driver does not respond.