It is the stuff of sci-fi movies, but vehicles travelling on US roads will soon be able to "talk" to one another to avoid accidents.
US regulators gave the green light on Monday to the use of vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology that can exchange basic safety data such as speed and position to help avoid collisions.
"Vehicle-to-vehicle technology represents the next generation of auto-safety improvements, building on the life-saving achievements we've already seen with safety belts and air bags," said US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in announcing the approval.
"By helping drivers avoid crashes, this technology will play a key role in improving the way people get where they need to go while ensuring that the US remains the leader in the global automotive industry."
A test project begun in 2012 in which vehicles equipped with wireless devices were used to warn drivers about specific hazards such as an impending collision at a blind intersection, or a vehicle stopped ahead.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Officials said the technology can help avert rear-end, lane change, and intersection crashes, but the systems do not include technology such as automatic braking or steering.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it is finalising its analysis and will publish a report for public comment, with the goal of establishing rules for the new technology.
It said the systems would include "several layers of security and privacy protection" to ensure that vehicles can rely on messages sent from other vehicles for potential safety problems.
