Research is being done on autonomous braking technology, which can stop a car when other vehicles or obstacles get too close, and lane-keeping support, which applies a correcting force through the steering if the driver drifts out of their lane.

BBC: How close are we to a crash-proof car?

In fact, the next generation of automotive technology may employ automatic steering and braking systems that relieve drivers of much of the responsibility for, well, driving.

CNN: Technology's next frontier: In-car computing

Williams are testing a flywheel kinetic energy recovery system - the device that stores energy under braking - and have set up a company to develop the technology both for Formula One and further applications outside the sport.

BBC: Williams opt against new system

The technology in question is KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) for capturing and storing the car's braking energy instead of wasting it as heat.

ECONOMIST: Tech.view: Boost for Formula One | The