Science News

Automakers want to integrate your smartphone into their latest models, making the car another device that will keep you connected to the Internet. Many advances the auto industry sought to pioneer, such as GPS and video display monitors, have already progressed further and faster through smartphone technology. But for every added feature, engineers must install a safety device to prevent you from smashing into things while you enjoy a phone call or YouTube video.

As our cars become networked—to the Internet and to one another—new trends in technology and society will redefine transportation. What's certain: tomorrow's automobiles will provide experiences that go well beyond driving.

The ability to manufacture photonic interconnect components -- modulators, detectors, waveguides, and filters -- on silicon substrates has finally been realized, and these optical interconnect structures show great potential for intrachip and interchip applications. HP Labs is studying how this shift to light-based interconnects may revolutionize the way computers are built.