Ford has been offering advanced safety systems in its vehicles for quite some time now. Even mainstream models like the Focus pack goodies like Forward Collision Warning and Park Assistance systems—features that were only once available in more premium marques. In its bid to provide even greater safety and driving convenience, Ford is now developing a few technologies that could change the way we drive, park, and avoid accidents.
One of these tech toys is Evasive Steering Assist, which essentially steers around a parked or slower-moving vehicle when a collision is detected. Using a camera and radar, it will alert the driver about said vehicle ahead and take evasive action if the driver fails to react in time.
Then there is the enhanced park assistant. This one takes its cue from the aforementioned parallel and perpendicular parking feature already found on most Ford vehicles. Activated at the push of a button, it controls everything from gear selection, steering, and forward and backward movement to take the stress out of parking. And yes, it will enable entry and exit of parallel spaces as well as ease into a perpendicular parking slot in reverse.
Speaking of exiting a parking space, the Cross-traffic alert with braking feature will not only detect oncoming people and objects while backing up, but will even apply the brakes to avoid a costly mishap. Moreover, the wide-angle rearview camera will give an even more detailed vista of what’s behind—again to relieve unnecessary stress.
As if these cool systems aren’t safe enough, Ford is working on a Wrong-way alert technology that, thanks to a camera and radar, warns the driver if he or she is going the wrong way. It also utilizes the car’s GPS navigation system to ensure that one will be set back on course. Now, yu have no excuse to counterflow.
Finally, Traffic Jam Assist helps keep the car on-center and at a safe distance from the car in front during those stressful moments in gridlock. With this feature, EDSA will soon become a breeze at the press of a button.
Actually, all these systems aim to take the stress out of driving and make life on the road safe and enjoyable. The Ford suite of safety gear could be available on their vehicles in as early as two years' time.
