Jalopnik: braking

Sudden Stop Helps Prevent Rear-End Accidents

Travis Hudson — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:00:00 EDT

Getting rear-ended may never be your fault, but that doesn't mean it's not a pain in the ass to get a busted bumper fixed. One way to help avoid such situations is with a product like Sudden Stop, an array of ultra-bright LED lights that reside on the left and right sides of your license plate. Sudden Stop works by detecting G-forces, meaning it doesn't hook into your existing brake lighting system. If it senses a certain level of G-forces from you slamming on your brakes, the bright LED lights will flash and warn the driver behind; assuming they're not busy texting, it could provide enough advance warning to prevent a collision. The Sudden Stop is battery-powered and available for $30. [Product Page via TRFJ]

Toyota Brake Assist Feature Links Up With GPS, Navigation

Travis Hudson — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST

A new braking feature in Toyota vehicles links up the braking system with your GPS navigation—ultimately getting us one step closer to full automated butler cars capable to taking you anywhere. The system works by recognizing area with stop signs or other stopping requirements and cross-referencing with road markings that designate an impending stop.

When the system knows you are approaching an intersection it recognizes as having a stop sign, it will begin to audibly and visually warn you to slow the eff down. It will continue to analyze the speed as you approach the impending stop, then decide whether to give you a little help with additional braking force. The system is currently being tested in Japan. [WCF]