Braking by brain

Researchers in Germany have shown that signals in a driver's brain could be used to cut four metres off a car's stopping distance, writes Brian Byrne.

In a paper in the Journal of Neural Engineering, the scientists describe how electrical signals in the brain were seen 130 milliseconds before drivers actually hit the brakes.

The tests were used in a driving simulator, with sensors connected to the driver's head and right leg.

But it is likely that real-world applications are many years away, even though the technological elements of brake-assist systems and related devices are already in place in many cars.