By Keerthi Chandrashekar ( | First Posted: Jul 14, 2012 01:21 PM
EDT  The obstacle course in Michigan where the driving system
was tested. (Photo : MIT)  Advances in driving mean that soon we
may all be cruising along highways with our hands free to text,
eat, and whatever else comes to mind. A team of researchers from
MIT's Department of Mechanical has chosen a different path - an
intelligent co-pilot that will simply make sure you don't hit
anything.  Like Us on Facebook  Using an onboard camera and a
laser rangefinder, the system determines the spacial orientation
of the vehicle. Then, using an algorithm developed by the
researchers, the system will identify 'safe zones' where the car
will not hit anything.  "The real innovation is enabling the car
to share [control] with you," says Sterling Anderson, Ph.D
student at MIT and one of the system's developers. "If you want
to drive, it'll just ... make sure you don't hit anything."
While autonomous parking systems exist, Anderson felt that the
preplanned meth