Skip to main content

Ford introduces night-time pedestrian detection

Ford is introducing technology that can automatically brake for pedestrians at night; the pedestrian detection system processes information from a radar located in the bumper and a windshield mounted camera; while a database of pedestrian shapes enables the system to distinguish people from objects such as trees and road signs. The camera delivers more than 30 snapshots every second and the video live-feed and viewing angle enables the system to pick out pedestrians, even in low-light conditions, illumin
March 17, 2017 Read time: 1 min
278 Ford is introducing technology that can automatically brake for pedestrians at night; the pedestrian detection system processes information from a radar located in the bumper and a windshield mounted camera; while a database of pedestrian shapes enables the system to distinguish people from objects such as trees and road signs.

The camera delivers more than 30 snapshots every second and the video live-feed and viewing angle enables the system to pick out pedestrians, even in low-light conditions, illuminated only by the headlights.

If the system detects an imminent collision with a pedestrian, it first provides audible and visual warnings to the driver. Should the driver not respond, the system automatically applies the brakes.

Later this year, the technology will be introduced on the next-generation Fiesta in Europe. In North America, the new technology will debut on the 2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Mustang.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Making cars safer for vulnerable road users
    June 2, 2016
    Richard Cuerden considers measures to improve the safety of vulnerable road users. The competitive nature of the car market has seen an increase in protection for those travelling inside the vehicle and this is reflected in the casualty statistics -but the same does not apply to those outside the vehicle. And with current societal trends such as ageing populations, an increasing number of pedestrians and cyclists encouraged by environmental policies, this is an area that authorities such as the European Uni
  • Dynamic Message Signs : Don’t replace, refurbish and upgrade
    August 12, 2015
    Refurbishing old dynamic message signs can save money and increase technical capabilities as David Crawford discovers. Evidence is growing on both sides of the Atlantic of the scope for retrofitting old or technically out-of-date dynamic message signs (DMS) with new electronic equipment, to save on the costs of installing full-scale replacements. In the last four months of 2014, a number of US states progressed programmes that achieved savings of more than US$1.75 million (€1.56million).
  • US Cities push for smarter poles
    June 25, 2018
    US Cities The need to connect existing infrastructure has led various US transit authorities into imaginative alleyways: David Crawford examines some new roles for street furniture. US cities are vying with each other in developing schemes to create a new generation of connected places. Their strategies include taking advantage of their streetlight poles’ height and ubiquity to give them new roles in supporting intelligent nodes. They are now being equipped for collecting real-time data on key transport
  • AIT intelligent detection system
    October 29, 2014
    Austria’s largest non-university research institute, Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), together with industry partner and rail technology leader Bombardier Transportation, has developed a solution aimed at reducing the risk of rail vehicle collisions. They claim that in the future, trams will be able to detect obstacles and correctly assess their potential danger. A specially developed optical 3D sensor system for light rail vehicles such as trams will make them proactive, intelligent an