Your next back seat driver

Just as it has changed so many other aspects of life, wireless technology is about to revolutionize the way we drive.

Fender benders, rear-enders and those three-car pileups that back up traffic may be going the way of the buggy whip. 

Within a few years, cars whizzing down the highway will begin chatting among themselves. Once they all are equipped to join the conversation, every car will know the speed, distance and direction of every other car close enough to pose a risk.

Are cars slowing abruptly just beyond that tractor-trailer you can’t see around? You may get an alert, but if there’s no time for discussion, you may just feel your brakes squeeze on. A speeding pickup truck seems likely to run the red light as you approach the intersection? Your car may decide to stop rather than put you in danger.

I wish I had that kind of protection out of the car.

Safer driving from cars that gossip with each other

Imagine that your car could learn from an oncoming car that the road ahead is icy or closed by an accident. That technology is now being designed and debated.

Many researchers believe we’re about to enter a new phase in transportation safety. If the last 50 years were about mitigating crashes, in the next 50, technology could enable us to actually avoid them — and revolutionize in the process how we get around using all types of transportation.

The vision is that millions of vehicles on the road will “talk to each other” through a kind of advanced Wi-Fi and this could potentially address 81 percent of the light-vehicle crashes currently involving unimpaired drivers.

The new technology would rely on Dedicated Short-Range Communications, a wireless connection with a 1-mile radius that is both faster and more secure than traditional Wi-Fi.

Vehicles with the technology could communicate with each other in real time about everything from upcoming icy roads to approaching vehicles in a driver’s blind spot. Emergency responders could be notified the moment an airbag deploys.

Instead of waiting to learn about a distant accident through the chain-reaction of brake lights illuminated in front of you, your car could automatically warn you the moment a nearby crash occurs (the system would not, however, push the brakes for you).

No word yet on whether this technology will side with your wife and force you to pull over and ask for directions.

Your smart phone and your car

More evidence that smart phones are taking over tasks previously performed by other devices -- car diagnosis apps.

Here's one for the iPhone, the 2340 KIWI Wifi. The manufacturer's description:

• KIWI Wifi turns your iPhone in to a powerful automotive tool
• Will check for engine diagnostic codes, when your "check engine" light become illuminated you can view and reset the code
• Easy installation, simply plugs into OBDII port and will mount virtually anywhere in your vehicle
• Allows you to view sensor data such as engine RPM, vehicle speed, coolant temperature and throttle position
• MPG gauges, basic engine sensors, check engine scan tool, trip computer

PLX Devices KIWI Wifi is a plug and play wireless device measuring only 2.75 x 1.25 x 0.6 inch. KIWI wifi comes attached with a 6 feet OBDII cable for easy installation. It also comes included with a power switch built-in to prevent the need to constantly disconnect your unit from the OBDII port. This wireless device is compatible with 1996 and later vehicles. Connecting to your iPhone / iPod touch is made by 802.11 a/b/g connection in adHoc mode.

And here's one for Droid phones.