Cars that talk to one another are already on their way

Networked cars exchange information with their surroundings, for example, to know whether a light is changing red soon or staying green. — BMW AG/dpa

Picture the scene: a slippery road, dense fog, zero visibility. You hit the brakes and hope for the best, praying that the car behind won't slam into the back of you.

This scenario should become a thing of the past when all vehicles are fitted with car-to-car communication. These systems send information on speed, position and direction of travel via secure WiFi. The driver's actions – such as strong braking or activation of the hazard warning lights – are also transmitted.