Ford Readies More Driver Assist Features

Ford Motor is developing a new wave of advanced driver-assist systems it plans to introduce on production vehicles over the next two years ahead of the fully autonomous system the company is targeting for 2021.

An evasive steering assist system will use radar and a camera to detect slower-moving and stationary vehicles ahead of the host vehicle. If a collision is imminent and braking alone won’t avoid it, the system alerts the driver and provides additional steering input based on a driver’s actions to help maneuver around the obstacle. Ford is working to further automate the system, but it notes that drivers still will be able to override the feature if needed.

Another feature, described as “enhanced active park assist,” automates additional parking maneuvers, such as moving into open parallel spots and reversing into perpendicular spaces. When activated, the system takes over steering, throttle, brakes and gear selection.

A more advanced cross-traffic alert system adds automatic braking. Based on inputs from radar sensors, the system warns drivers of potential hazards when reversing and automatically applies the brakes if corrective action isn't taken. A separate wide-view rear camera display will help drivers see around corners and objects approaching from behind when reversing.

Ford also is readying a system to help prevent drivers from going the wrong way down a one-way street. Using a windshield-mounted camera and information from a car’s navigation system, the system detects if a vehicle enters a street headed in the wrong direction and warns the driver with visual and audio alerts.

Traffic-jam assist automates steering, throttle and braking during highway driving. In addition to maintaining a fixed distance from the preceding vehicle, the system keeps a vehicle centered in its own lane, Ford says.

The carmaker also is developing a camera-based system that reads traffic signs to identify intersections and roundabouts, then widens the headlight beam accordingly. And a “spotlighting” technology uses an infrared camera to detect and highlight pedestrians, cyclists and animals near the road.

Ford already offers a host of driver assist systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, blind spot warning with cross-traffic alert, automated high-beam control, curve control and parking assist. In August, the company announced plans to launch a fully autonomous vehicle—without a steering wheel or foot pedals—for ride-hailing services by 2021.