Are you afraid of the dark? More specifically, are you scared of driving at night? Don’t be ashamed if you answered yes. According to a recent study conducted by Ford Motor Company, some 81% of drivers were indeed afraid to take their vehicles out at night. And 1 of every 5 motorists fear hitting a pedestrian.
This fear, experts say, can be traced back to our ancestors, particularly the cave dwellers, who feared being devoured by predators or wild animals that would pounce out of the dark. All is not lost, however, as new technologies are now being developed to help ease this anxiety.
Case in point is the improved Pedestrian Detection technology by Ford. We say improved because the Blue Oval brand notes that its system can now “see in the dark”. Yes, the driver assist system that was once exclusive to high-end models is not only going mainstream; it now works during nighttime driving.
Using front bumper-mounted radar and windshield camera, the system will help detect pedestrians. It does this thanks to a database of images that has been pre-programmed to help it distinguish between ordinary objects like trees and the like, and people and animals.
Apart from this, the camera works at high speeds, returning something like 30 frames per second, essentially faster than a movie projector. All these work to respond quickly to imminent danger. Working in low light conditions, with only the vehicle’s headlights as illumination, it will warn the driver of oncoming pedestrians. Should the person at the tiller fail to react in time, the brakes will automatically be applied to avoid a collision.
While the ingenious system continually undergoes improvement, Ford says that smart driving and preventive vehicle maintenance are always key ingredients to avoid accidents. Things like keeping headlights, windows, and the like clean must always be practiced. And of course, staying alert is definitely a must—whether you’re at the wheel or a pedestrian crossing the street. Ditch the mobiles for now, please?
The improved Ford Pedestrian Detection system will be initially available on the Euro-spec Ford Fiesta that will go on sale later this year, as well as the US-model 2018 Ford F-150 and Mustang.
