According to several news agencies, multiple automakers have been working on developing new vehicles and systems that would make driving a much safer and even hassle-free experience to motorists in the country.

In Nevada, drivers of an experimental autonomous car designed by Audi will be able to worry about anything they would like to other than driving while behind the wheel while Toyota has been working on safety technologies that would make collisions and fatal accidents a thing of the past.

Experts believe that certain technologies like radars, high-definition cameras, satellite-connected tools, infrared projectors and other tools will be soon aiding drivers and making driving a much safer experience. Cars will be soon able to announce when the vehicle is about to run into an obstacle and warn that the traffic has come to a total stop around the bend. Certain systems will be even capable of announcing that the lights at the next intersection have gone dark.

According to several media outlets, multiple automakers have been demonstrating their recently developed technologies at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show. Some of the latest advances indicate that vehicles are turning into smart computers while looking less like engine on wheels. Although most of the highly advanced technology won’t be available to consumers for years, Audi has started to test its prototype based on the company’s autonomous car system. Audi is confident that these tests will help engineers to develop an even more efficient and safe driverless car. Some experts believe that, the goal of most automakers is to show consumers that most cars of the next decade will bring the number of collisions and fatalities down significantly.

When it comes to Audi’s new autonomous technology, cameras mounted to the vehicle sound alarms when the driver becomes drowsy while behind the wheel on an autopilot mode, which is a response to some critics who believe that consumers may not be fully comfortable with the idea of a computer driving their vehicles for them.

Some critics have also stated that in spite of the fact that computers can predict behaviors and diverse situations, it could never replace the driver’s instincts and personal judgment. Computers are not perfect and since similar technologies have been tested in the past, with no real success, automakers are being asked to extensively test their technologies and allow safety regulators to verify how safe the autonomous car system is before consumers are allowed to purchase it and use regularly.

Recent studies have suggested that safety features designed to lower the risk of accidents like anti-lock brakes haven’t made a dent in accident statistics. Certain efforts could be proved useless without proper testing and updates. According to some experts, drivers who tend to over trust their vehicle’s safety features become prone to being involved in more collisions since they become less vigilant while behind the wheel, trusting the vehicle’s promise to keep them safe.

In spite of the criticism, several features have been proved useful like Volvo’s city safety features.

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