The future of motoring: it's automated - Motorways

Minoru Shinohara is Nissan's senior vice-president in charge of advanced technology, and he believes there will be scope for cars to drive themselves - up to a point.

'In limited situations, such as a specific highway lane for long-range driving, I think this is technically possible.'

Cruise control and lane-keep-assist systems could be developed fairly easily to allow automation in the relatively simple environment of the motorway.

Cars would travel nose to tail, which would cut congestion and, thanks to less drag, reduce carbon dioxide output.

Shinohara reckons carbon dioxide output could be cut by 10 to 20%, an enormous improvement that an engine development team would kill for.

There would likely be safety benefits, too, because the majority of accidents today can be put down to human error. That said, manufacturers are reluctant to put a figure on how much of an improvement automation may bring.

Volkswagen's Bernhard Mueller-Bessler works in the development of autonomous systems and is convinced of the merits: 'The main purpose is less stress and the time benefit for the driver.

'He can use the autonomous drive to do other things, like reading or watching television. Accidents will be avoided, pollution comes down and traffic would flow better.'