Hopefully they put out international patents on it, so that the Japanese don't steal it !!!

Don't you think the world would benefit more if the japanese car companies did take the idea, I bet they could do something better with it, optimize it further, etc. Ford still has the incentive to develop it so they can use it first, even if other companies were to take it.

Mercedes Benz does not patent any of their safety innovations, the world is allowed to reap the benefits, and I don't think MB worries about losing anything on that deal.