Vehicle blackboxes go high-tech

Vehicle data recorders are designed to store information about acceleration, speed, and mechanical faults inside your car and over 60% of 2005 year models in the US are currently fitted with this type of device. Now, a Korean company is developing black boxes that also store images just before and after an accident. This is done through the use of a side-mirror mounted camera that takes photos at 20 frames per second. The device stores 14 seconds before the crash, and 6 seconds after, filling in the blanks that traditional vehicle blackboxes can’t provide.

PLK, a division of Hyundai and Kia, offers a similar device as an after-market accessory, but this one also acts as a lane departure warning system. With the cost of blackboxes expected to plummet, it won’t be long before governments start mandating for their inclusion in all cars sold around the world.