The auto industry's past and present co-exist with its high-tech future on opposite corners of an intersection in Stratford, Ont. If the research being conducted on the southeastern corner achieves its ultimate goal, what's happening on the northwestern side will no longer be necessary.

Computer-chip manufacturer Renesas Electronics Corp. is testing an autonomous vehicle on a dedicated track on the southeastern corner.

On the opposite corner of the crossing, where Lorne Avenue meets Romeo Street – this is, after all, the home of a Shakespearean festival – Lorne Ave. Salvage Yard & Recycling reclaims what it can from wrecked vehicles.

The goal of the Renesas research is to help reduce or eventually eliminate traffic accidents, something that will make life harder for the wrecking yard and several collision-repair centres along the northern side of Lorne Avenue.

Read the full story at theglobeandmail.com.