The prototype truck developed by Samsung is called the "Safety
Truck," which uses technology that allows drivers traveling behind large trucks
to see what the traffic in the opposite lane is like in real-time. The Safety
Truck consists of a wireless camera attached to the front of the truck, which
is connected to a video wall made out of four exterior monitors located on the
back of the truck. The monitors give drivers behind the truck a view of what is
going on ahead of the truck during the day or night.
This technology, when implemented, could have a major impact
on reducing accidents and fatalities caused by overtaking and sudden braking. This
allows drivers to have a better view when deciding whether it is safe to
overtake and pass a truck on two lane roads. The underlying goal is to help
drivers make more informed decisions when caution could save lives.
The prototype truck's technology consists of a night-vision
enabled and wireless video camera in the front that transmits the footage to a
large display on the back in real time. While the night vision cameras are
proprietary designs developed from existing technology, Samsung has forged
ahead with an entirely new design for the four-display video wall on the back
of the truck, which has overcome daylight visibility issues to create a clear
and detailed single display.
The company must still perform additional tests beyond those
done on Argentine roads in order to obtain regulatory approval so that they can
take the "Safety Truck" from prototype to commercial technology in the U.S.
Even then, there is the hurdle of making the technology affordable for trucking
interests. Still, this is only one of a number of technologies that are meant
to help improve road safety for all drivers.
Other technologies like Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication
(V2V) systems use networked intelligence technology to transmit and receive data
about each car's position, direction, and speed. This data is provided to alert
each driver about unsafe driving by others or notify them of any collisions
ahead even before any other drivers have had the time to react.
Like Samsung's "Safety Truck," V2 technology implementation
also has some implementation hurdles to overcome. One being traffic saturation
that hinders the technology from working properly in extremely dense traffic.
Another is the possibility of people hacking into the system and sending out
false data.
Ultimately, these and other technologies that are currently
in development and testing phases will play a big part in providing safer roads
for drivers. Until then, it's up to all of us to stay alert, follow the rules
of the road, and remain courteous and calm behind the wheel so that we all make
it to our destination safe and sound.
