The driving assistance technology of Ford will be ready soon, and this is what it offers

Driving is one of the activities we carry out every day and, although we have it down to a routine and know we can drive without problems over many kilometres, we also know it is a tiring, dangerous activity that we can sometimes neglect without realising it. And those lapses can have serious consequences. For that very reason, it is worth knowing that technologies exist that will help us stay in control at all times. Some are available only to a few, but others are or will be ready for many vehicles, not necessarily top-of-the-range ones.

Ford is developing several new technologies that act when a distraction occurs during the journey, automatically correcting the trajectory or braking if necessary. One of the most common aids, present in many models, is automatic parking. Just press a button, and the car performs the necessary manoeuvres to park without trouble or complication.

The Active Park Assist has been improved and controls the steering, gear changes, reverse selection and forward gears. In addition to parallel parking, this system can move the vehicle into a perpendicular space. Its sensors can also locate available parking spaces, which makes the manoeuvre much easier.

The idea of Ford is to allow these systems to be fitted across all of the brand’s modelsThis system is complemented by cross-traffic alert. The radar sweeps the rear and detects whether there is an obstacle, such as a motorcycle or a bicycle. In that case, if it detects an obstacle, it emits an acoustic signal to warn the driver and, if the driver does not react within a set time, it applies the brakes.

The rear-view camera gives drivers a clear view on the display, letting them see what is behind them at all times while parking or driving through the city at low speed. This system may be complemented by another one currently being tested in the laboratory of the American company’s development division.

This will alert drivers when a Ford has taken the wrong direction and has passed a no-entry sign. A camera at the front of the car will identify and interpret the signs, and will also use information from the GPS to warn us that we are driving the wrong way. This will enter service in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and will later move to other countries.

Finally, at least for now, work is underway on autonomous driving in traffic jams. Ready within a couple of years, it will allow equipped vehicles to keep their distance from the car ahead and maintain the same speed, avoiding unnecessary bumps and scares.

Ford expects all these automatic advantages to be present across the brand’s entire car range and to be fully accessible to everyone.

Source | Ford