Nissan readies pilot for road-cam / slip-hazard alert services

Way back in 2005, we got wind of a Bluetooth-based telematics systems for cars dubbed Carwings. Now, Nissan is gearing up to launch two safety pilots which will rely on -- you guessed it -- Carwings HDD navigation systems. First up is the slip-hazard alert, which marries data from the ITS (Intelligent Transport System) and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) in order to warn drivers of slippery road conditions. In addition to that, the recently concocted road-cam service can "enhance the effectiveness of the alert service by offering drivers a visual image" of surroundings. The company will make the slip-hazard alert and the new road-cam service available to all Carwings customers (in Japan) beginning next month, with the latter hitting first (in November) and the former second (in December). Oh, and did we mention the upgrades will be completely gratis? Because they will be.

[Via Wired]

[Matthew C @ Oct 21st 2008 3:28AM]

Road Camcould be really useful - especially if it was a live feed. I wonder if it will work with the US DOT cams (I know that at least in my area there is no area of interstate not covered - its pretty impressive). If so it would be great for monitoring traffic, too.

Hopefully this updates gets past japan.