Skip to main content

Ford invests in next-generation driver assist technology

In addition to the driver assistance systems already in use on its card, new technology being developed by Ford includes cross-traffic alert with braking technology to help reduce parking stress by detecting people and objects about to pass behind the vehicle, providing 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 paral
November 4, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
In addition to the driver assistance systems already in use on its card, new technology being developed by 278 Ford includes cross-traffic alert with braking technology to help reduce parking stress by detecting people and objects about to pass behind the vehicle, providing 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.

Further technologies developed at the Ford European Research and Innovation Centre 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.

Ford aims to take the stress out of parking with enhanced active park assist, which controls steering, gear selection and forward and reverse motion to facilitate parking at a push of a button. The system can automatically enter and exit a parallel parking space, and can reverse the vehicle into a perpendicular space. Enhanced active park assist also uses sensors to locate suitable parking spaces.

Cross traffic alert with braking uses radar sensors to monitor the area behind the vehicle. If the driver is backing out and does not react to the initial warning, the system is designed to automatically apply the brakes. The system is being designed to detect motorcycles and bicycles.

Rear wide-view camera displays a wide-angle view from the rear of the vehicle on the in-car display, to offer a similar functionality to Ford’s front wide view camera located at the front of the Ford Edge, Galaxy and S-MAX models. When reversing, it provides an additional view that enables drivers to see around corners as well as obstacles and objects approaching from behind the vehicle.

Ford also is developing new technology that could help drivers steer around stopped or slower vehicles to help avoid collisions.

Designed to operate at city and highway speeds, evasive steering assist uses radar and a camera to detect slower moving and stationary vehicles ahead and provides steering support to enable drivers to help avoid a vehicle if a collision is imminent. The system is activated if there is insufficient space to avoid a collision by braking only and the driver decides to take evasive action.

Ford is also developing technology that could help stop wrong-way driving − to warn drivers against entering the motorway from the wrong direction.

Wrong way alert uses a windscreen mounted camera and information from the car’s navigation system to provide drivers with audible and visual warnings when driving through two No Entry signs on a motorway ramp.

Traffic jam assist is a further technology previously announced by Ford, and expected to first arrive for customers within two years. The system assists the driver in keeping the vehicle centred in the lane and brakes and accelerates to keep pace with the vehicle in front

Longer term, Ford is also developing a camera-based advanced front lighting system that widens the headlight beam at junctions and roundabouts after interpreting traffic signs.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Embedded connectivity delivers real time travel information
    February 3, 2012
    Ton Brand describes the GSM Association's Embedded mTelematics programme. As the world's roads become increasingly crowded, consumers and businesses are demanding better real-time information to help them both avoid traffic congestion and make smarter use of public transport. Embedding mobile connectivity directly into vehicles can enable drivers and passengers to see live traffic flows in their localities, as well as the expected arrival time of the next bus, ferry or tram
  • US, Canada begin trials of truck driver awareness system
    February 13, 2015
    InterCore Research Canada (IRC) is to pilot a program for the use of its driver alertness detection system (DADS) with 26 trucking companies in the US and Canada. It expects to add a further 44 companies to the pilot in the next few months. DADS is a real-time cloud based monitoring and warning system that can assist in preventing accidents caused by driver drowsiness, lack of alertness or distraction. Using the data collected by the DADS certified camera, the service helps drivers determine if they are
  • Collision avoidance system market expected to grow at 22per cent to 2019
    October 16, 2015
    The latest report from RnR Market Research forecasts the global collision avoidance system market to grow at a CAGR of 22.02 per cent over the period 2014-2019 The report, Global Collision Avoidance System Market 2015-2019, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the Americas, APAC, and EMEA; it also covers the landscape of the global collision avoidance system market and its growth prospects in the coming years. It includes a discussion
  • Next generation deer crossing system
    October 18, 2012
    US based toll collection and traffic management consultants, JAFA Technologies, have announced that Austrian company IPTE Schalk and Schalk has completed development of DeerDeter, claimed to be an intelligent, cost-effective, next generation animal-vehicle collision avoidance system that has additional intelligent transportation and roadside communications capabilities. In addition to significantly reducing animal-vehicle collisions, DeerDeter can be configured to provide additional feedback on the system’s