Adding foresight

Radar and cameras will work together to help drivers avoid accidents.

Distracted drivers seem to be having a more difficult time keeping their eyes on the road, so vehicles are beginning to watch where they are going. Radar is already gaining acceptance, and cameras are being tapped to keep an eye on the highway.

Radar and cameras are the latest tools being called into play to improve safety. As traffic gets heavier and drivers focus more on phones and infotainment options, automotive engineers are stepping up to help reduce the 40,000 auto-related deaths reported each year. Sensors including radar and cameras are the unsung heroes of the auto industry's transition to digital technologies, but they are getting more credit for their role in the critical challenge of watching the highway.