Ford ups technology pace
Cross-traffic alert with braking technology in development at Ford is being designed to help reduce parking stress by detecting people and objects about to pass behind the vehicle.
The system is just one of many technologies currently under development by the vehicle manufacturer and expected to be made available within the next two years.
The cross traffic alert with braking technology provides a warning to the driver and then automatically braking if the driver does not respond. Rear wide-view camera, on the in-car display, will offer an alternative wide-angle view of the rear of the vehicle. Enhanced active park assist will parallel or perpendicular park at the push of a button.
‘We’ve all become accustomed to the challenges of driving, but it remains one of the most demanding tasks most of us perform day in, day out,’ said Torsten Wey, manager, chassis and safety electronics, Ford of Europe. ‘Technology is already proving its potential to help make driving less stressful – and Ford’s investment in research and development is paying off by accelerating innovation to expand our portfolio of driver-assist technologies that deliver functionality and performance that customers will value.’
Further technologies developed at the Ford European Research and Innovation Center in Aachen, Germany, include systems designed to help drivers steer around other vehicles to help avoid high speed collisions, and to warn drivers from travelling the wrong way down motorways.
These new technologies – expected to be first made available on Ford vehicles in the next two years, are part of the company’s commitment to triple its investment in developing driver assist features, to evolve them further and to expand their capabilities, speeding the roll-out of systems that make it easier to park and drive in heavy traffic, and help drivers avoid collisions.
‘Drivers must remain alert and reactive when behind the wheel but driver assist technology can help,’ said Edmund King OBE, president, the Automobile Association. ‘There are great benefits in Ford developing new assist technologies which can aid the driver to avoid collisions, spot vulnerable road-users in blind spots or eradicate parking rage by making parking easier.’
