Volvo has already implemented the Collision Warning System in its S80 sedan, warning drivers when there seems to be a potential collision on the way. A red light flashes and a buzzer sounds to tell you that you either need to swerve out of the way or start slamming on those brakes. Now, the company is working on the next generation of the Collision Warning System which actually does all the braking for you. Take a look at it working in this video, where Volvo researchers set up an inflatable obstacle and the brakes stop the car just in time. No word on when this will become a commercially available option (or even standard equipment).

What I would have like to have seen is what happens when the driver can avoid the obstacle. Also, what happends when these cars get into their later, senile computer years and thinks that it is a wonderful idea to stop on the free way? ;)

In related news, here's a video of the Smart car going through a head-on crash test with a Mercedes S-Class, with the experiment apparently being put together by an "independent team." The result? Well, watch the video for yourself, but let's just say that the Smart crash reminds me of a game of craps for some reason :)