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New Doppler Radar System Can Detect Moving Vehicles Around Corners
Doppler radar systems, which are typically used to detect speeding drivers, are relatively low cost.
Science & Tech
A new radar system has been created by scientists at Princeton University that allows automobiles to detect other moving vehicles and pedestrians around corners in order to avoid collisions.
The system, which is easily integrated into today's vehicles, uses Doppler radar to bounce radio waves off surfaces such as buildings and parked automobiles. It allows a level of collision detection that simply wouldn't be possible for humans.
Doppler radar's signal hits the surface at an angle, meaning its reflection rebounds off a surface like a cue ball hitting the wall of a pool table, a Princeton press release explains.
The signal will then go on to strike objects hidden around the corner. Some of these signals bounce back and can be picked up by detectors mounted on a moving car, effectively allowing the system to see objects around the corner and tell whether they are moving or stationary.