BMW is working on technology that allows drivers to 'see' children hidden behind parked cars.
AMULETT, as it's called, is part of the company's 'proactive pedestrian protection' research. It could be a breakthrough in preventing the typical scenario in which a child runs 'from nowhere' into the path of a moving car.
AMULETT requires the child to wear a transponder, allowing him or her to be 'seen', with a location presented on the car's infotainment screen.
The transponder is currently 'about the size of two cigarette packets,' says BMW, but will shrink dramatically before production. Still in early development, BMW is working with other carmakers to establish a standard for the technology that would allow it to become universal across manufacturers.
At the same time, the German company is developing a range of collision mitigation measures, incorporating emergency braking and automatic steering assistance.
Currently, auto braking systems work from relatively low speeds - like Volvo's Full Auto Brake. BMW's will stop the car from motorway velocities.
However, it can also 'nudge' the steering wheel in a particular direction to avoid an obstacle if it deems that the most appropriate action; in the case of a stationary car on the motorway, it will sound a warning then move the wheel slightly in the direction of a clear lane on either side.
All these technologies are in early development and are unlikely to hit the market until at least 2012.
Mark Nichol - 13 Oct 2010