Anyone that has ever wished for a warning before a speed camera could soon find the answer in a new car.
The latest Hyundai Genesis model launched in South Korea has the ability to warn drivers about speed cameras within 800 metres of the car.
Depending on the customisable settings chosen, the car will either beep once every second until the driver slows down or automatically adjust the speed to an appropriate level.
The system works by connecting satellite navigation, cruise control and braking systems within the car, so that it can intuitively change the speed when cameras are nearby.
It is worth noting that the system relies on the most up-to-date sat-nav information and does not work with mobile speed units or police patrols, but The Motor Report Road Test Editor Tony O’Kane says it is a “potential licence-saver on long highways”.
“The South Korean government, like ours here in Australia, appears infatuated with speed cameras. Fixed cameras are everywhere: not just on South Korea’s many highways, but on rural back roads too,” he explains in his review of the car.
“Hyundai’s new Genesis sedan…has the perfect antidote – and we might soon see it in Australia.”
He notes that the legal speed is displayed on the navigation screen and, for stretches or road where average speed cameras are in play “the system will also display your car’s average over that segment, again ensuring you don’t fall foul of the law.”
Satellite navigation systems have been known to warn people about speed cameras for years, whether they are installed in the car or added through an additional GPS navigation unit like a Navman, Garmin or Tom Tom.
Typically they warn drivers about speed cameras with a beep or other sound, but not all of them indicate the correct speed. None of the current units in Australia are linked up to cruise control like the Hyundai Genesis model, either, which is where its real advantage lies.
For drivers travelling long distances on the highway, a cruise control system that can slow down to the correct speed really could be a game-changer.
As this technology becomes more and more advanced, these kinds of innovations are likely to be tested and taken up by a wide range of car manufacturers around the world.
In the case of the new Hyundai Genesis in South Korea, O’Kane says there are already plans to release a similar version in Australia.
Another report – from Carshowroom.com.au – says a local model should arrive in “October or November” but also notes that Hyundai Australia are “still yet to confirm local pricing, specs and even model line-up.”
In South Korea, the Hyundai Genesis retails for about AU$48,360, although Australian versions are expected to be priced higher when they launch, with initial estimates hovering around the $60,000.
But whether a driver has an old or new system to alert them of speed cameras, there are some issues with this warning system. For starters, the amount of warning time given can vary, and sudden braking could be a risk for some drivers.
Then there is the fact that the mapping services used by sat-nav systems is not always up-to-date. Some even require manual updates, which means drivers could have a service that warns about some fixed cameras but not others.
The road authorities around Australia have also frequently said that slowing down when approaching a speed camera is not a solution to speeding problems or risks. The danger of a crash is still dependent on a driver staying alert and aware of potential hazards, after all.
But with endless stretches of highway around Australia, and speed cameras cropping up all over the place, there is no doubt high-tech warning systems would be a popular addition to any local car.
Now that it is just a matter of time and money before Australian drivers can get their hands on Hyundai’s system, there’s also a very good chance other car companies are racing to develop their own anti-speed camera selling points.
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