we need a g.p.s. unit in the vehicle. that's pretty common these days in vehicles.the technology itself is inexpensive, small and light. >> reporter: the research done here is studied by the department of transportation to some up with mandatory guidelines for v2v to be in all new cars. i wanted to experience v2v in a real-world setting. i asked the programme manager to drive me around ann arbor in the v2v demonstration van. hi debbie, great to meet you. >> nice to meet you, shini. >> reporter: tell me about the technology in the vehicle. >> this is our demonstration vehicle. we have it equipped with three afterdevices, and they transmit a message from vehicle to vehicle. >> reporter: can we see them in action? >> absolutely. each vehicle has a dedicated short-range communication radio. we are transmitting a basic safety message, the vehicle's speed, position and heading. then we compare that to our own vehicle and do a threat assessment and warn the driver accordingly. >> reporter: so that forward collision was because the car in obstacle. >> typically an mergee el