General Motors announced this week that it's developing a new technology to help drivers detect pedestrians and bicyclists, with hopes of incorporating this feature into the infotainment systems of future Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles.

The technology relies on Wi-Fi Direct, a peer-to-peer wireless communication system that lets devices connect directly with each other rather than through a shared access point like a cell phone tower.  This makes the transfer of data much quicker, a crucial factor in a potential accident situation where seconds count.

GM researchers are working with a means to integrate Wi-Fi Direct with other sensor-based detection and driver alert systems already available in their vehicles.  Pedestrians and bicyclists carrying smartphones equipped with Wi-Fi Direct would be able to directly communicate with the vehicle's system.   Nady Boules, GM Global R&D director of the Electrical and Control Systems Research Lab, says "This new wireless capability could warn drivers about pedestrians who might be stepping into the roadway from behind a parked vehicle, or bicyclists who are riding in the car's blind spot." 

Thanks to the quick transfer capabilities of Wi-Fi Direct, compatible devices would be able to connect in approximately one second instead of up to 7 or 8 seconds using a cell phone tower or other external access point.  The connection range for this technology is upwards of 656 feet, the span of over two football fields. 

General Motors has always put a premium on safety in their vehicles, not just for the driver, but for the driver's surroundings.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,280 pedestrians and 618 bicyclists lost their lives in collisions with motor vehicles in 2010.  The incorporation of Wi-Fi Direct could play a significant role in reducing these numbers, and GM is excited for the potential this technology holds.

Aside from safety benefits, the Wi-Fi Direct technology could also open doors for vehicle connectivity in other ways.  Capabilities of vehicles to communicate directly with home computers or other devices could be useful for transferring data like music files and address book.  With technology at the forefront of many consumers' lives and jobs, this step toward increased vehicle connectivity could make a big impact on the industry.