In the future, instead of driving, you may want to cruise along in a robotic car platoon. Researchers believe these would reduce traffic, save fuel, and cut down on accidents. An automated platoon would require each car to communicate with those nearby and roadside systems as well. But if these communications fail, the situation may be too hectic for human drivers to deal with. Researchers in the UK are working on a fail-safe solution using pneumatic bumpers that touch the car ahead to keep the convoy together safely in case of an emergency.

Alasdair Renfrew of Manchester University and his colleagues believe an intelligent extendable bumper could be the answer. Sensors in the bumper would allow a car to determine what the car ahead was doing and react quickly, measuring compression of the bumper to track the speed and acceleration of the car ahead. This way the lead car will able to keep the situation under control allowing the rest of the convey to sit back and enjoy the ride.