Siemens knows that driving is really hard with a phone, PDA, GPS and stereo to worry about, so they've invented a system to read signs for you which will shortly make inadvertent speeding a thing of the past.

A camera constantly scans the road ahead while an onboard computer searches for patterns and can recognize speed limits on traffic signs. If driving too fast, the driver is warned by a conveniently visible signal on the head-up display for instance and if the driver wishes, the adaptive cruise control function can also lower the current speed to the respective speed limit.

The system has been developed as part of the pro.pilot project – Siemens VDO’s network of advanced driver assistance systems – and can go into series production in 2008.