The Fraunhofer Institute for Information and Data Processing IITB has developed new software that will enable multiple cars to make maneuvers in unison-think “the blue angels on four wheels.”  The idea, however, is not intended for mere skeptical, but rather to help in accident avoidance.  Sciencedaily.com suggests that if you find yourself in the middle lane of a highway, and all of a sudden a child jumps out in front of you, that you can swerve your vehicle while the software will kick in and swerve the vehicles around you in unison.

Sounds like a pretty interesting idea, but I have my doubts about the effectiveness of such a product.  One out of control car is bad, multiple out of control cars could be a nightmare.  Sciencedaily’s description of a child jumping out in front of a car is a best, worst case, scenario.  What if some warm hearted person swerves to avoid a squirrel, and all of a sudden your car is moving in unison straight into the oncoming path of a dump truck?  I honestly see this happening more often then the child scenario.

This technology is obviously well intentioned and might have some practical application, but would you really want your life held in the hands of whoever happens to be in the next lane?  I certainly would not want that!

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