GPS + Hybrid Vehicle Network = Fuel Savings

Automotive News reports the engineering firm Ricardo is teaming up with several other companies to incorporate GPS and hybrid vehicle technology in vehicles in order to reduce fuel consumption. This would be achieved by anticipating vehicle power needs for upcoming road conditions by taking into account such factors as via speed limits, traffic congestion, and traffic lights along the intended route. Figures of 5% to 24% fuel savings are mentioned. It is hoped that this technology will be tested in fleet vehicles next year in the UK.

I'm convinced this further indicates that the continuing trends of decoupling mechanical systems and overlaying different information and data will ultimately result in driverless cars.