The technology for fully automated cars that drive themselves is closer to reality, and they are expected within the next decade. Appearing much sooner than driverless vehicles are “connected cars” equipped with sensors and onboard computers that enable them to dodge moving vehicles or stationary objects. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that connected vehicles could reduce accidents involving unimpaired drivers by 80 percent. The autos would rely on devices with a monitoring range of about a quarter mile, reading signals sent out from other equipped cars, plus units placed at traffic lights or stop signs.