Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection Technology (debuting 2015 Mondeo In Europe)

[ono]

I would like to see this safety technology available as an option on the Edge. It would be easier for me cross-shop the Edge with the 2015 Volvo XC90 (which has such feature). Do you think it might be an option come Fall 2015?

 

New Ford Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection Technology May Help Drivers Avoid Some Frontal Crashes

 

http://corporate.ford.com/news-center/press-releases-detail/new-ford-pre-collision-assist-with-pedestrian-detection

 

• Available new technology from Ford – Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection – is designed to reduce the severity of and, in some cases, even eliminate frontal collisions involving pedestrians
• Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection – debuting on the 2015 Ford Mondeo in Europe – provides a collision warning to the driver and, if the driver does not respond in time, can automatically apply the vehicle brakes
• Other available Ford driver-assist technologies include lane-keeping system with lane-keeping aid, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, and active park assist

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 23 - Ford Motor Company is rolling out a new driver-assist system that can reduce the severity of or even eliminate some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians.

Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection uses radar and camera technology to scan the roadway ahead and, if a collision risk with a vehicle or pedestrian is detected, provides a warning to the driver. If the driver does not respond in time, the system can automatically apply up to full braking force to help reduce the severity of or even eliminate some frontal collisions. Pre-Collision Assist may help drivers avoid rear end collisions with other vehicles at all speeds, while Pedestrian Detection can help the driver avoid pedestrians at lower speeds – both may reduce the severity of forward collisions or even prevent certain forward collisions.

“This technology adds to the already impressive list of driver-assist technologies Ford customers benefit from today,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection will debut as available technology on the 2015 Ford Mondeo on sale in Europe this year. It will then roll out to other Ford and Lincoln products around the world.

While the new system may be especially helpful in unexpected situations, it does not replace the driver and has limitations including nighttime, low and harsh lighting conditions, vehicles moving in a different direction and certain weather conditions.

Detecting Pedestrians

In daylight and clear weather conditions, the new technology may detect people in or near the road ahead, or pedestrians crossing the vehicle’s path. If a pedestrian is detected in front of the car and a collision is imminent, the driver first receives an audible and visual warning. Should the driver not respond, the system improves brake responsiveness by reducing the gap between brake pads and discs. If there is still no response from the driver, the brakes are applied automatically and vehicle speed is reduced.

The system processes information collected from a windshield-mounted camera and radar located near the bumper; it then checks the information against a database of pedestrian shapes to help distinguish people from typical roadside scenery and objects.

Ford engineers tested the system on closed test tracks using rigs fitted with manikins to replicate pedestrians. They then spent months refining the technology on roads around the world to test system reliability.

“This real-world testing was an important part of the development, because pedestrians in an urban setting can present a wide range of potential situations,” said Scott Lindstrom, Ford manager, Driver Assist Technologies. “We covered more than 300,000 miles on three continents that included a wide range of settings and situations.”

Other driver-assist technologies available from Ford include lane-keeping system with lane-keeping aid, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, and active park assist. For more information on these technologies, go to www.ford.com.

[akirby]

2015 Edge only has collision warning with brake support. No mention of Pedestrian avoidance.

[joesworld]

If you only knew the lack of security and apparent "hackability" of any automatic system like this that can control your brakes you'd think twice about it.

The automotive industry hasn't learned anything about security... mark my words, it's only a matter of time until people are seriously injured or killed by a security related incident involving systems like this.

 

In-car wireless (wifi/bluetooth) + computer systems with no security that control brakes = recipe for disaster

[ono]

Noted. Tesla is aware of this, since they have mobile 3G, cellular, communication with owner's car's ECU; and they're making an increased investment in security. (An owner hacked their into their car system to enable use an alternative browser, and they informed the owner that they put at risk the warranty coverage.)

 

(...If you really are concerned, research in-air flight avionics.)

 

Anyway, for non-connected cars, I'm still interested in this safety technology.

 

Maybe it'll be an option sometime after it proves itself in the Mondeo. My anticipated purchase date is Sept of 2015, so I hope it's available. I would prefer to purchase a Ford with many servicing dealers, rather than from the rare Volvo dealer (who acts like they are precious).

 

Any insight as to if this will be an available option approximately Sept 2015, please advise.

[blitz118]

The features are set for the 2015 Edge, see order guide thread, and that feature is not offered. If that feature is important to you, then you should get the Volvo.

[ono]

Maybe available in the Edge, if there is a "2016" model introduced in Fall of 2015...

 

In the tech department, the 2016 MKX can be opted with a new Revel premium audio system, a built-in modem, a vehicle-control app, a 360-degree view camera, and a host of helpful driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert. Also offered is a new pre-collision assist system.

 

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1096252_2016-lincoln-mkx-debuts-at-2015-detroit-auto-show

 

The all-new Lincoln MKX adds pre-collision assist, which may help avoid or lessen the severity some frontal crashes with another vehicle or pedestrian in certain situations and conditions. If the system detects another vehicle or pedestrian, the system will first provide a collision warning and then the system will automatically apply braking if the driver has not taken any corrective action.

 

The MKX is among the first Ford Motor Co. vehicles to get a new feature, called pre-collision assist. The technology will warn the driver if it senses a crash is imminent and apply the brakes. The technology is also launching this year on the European version of the Ford Fusion, the Mondeo.

Edited January 15, 2015 by ono

[TheWizard]

The all-new Lincoln MKX adds pre-collision assist, which may help avoid or lessen the severity some frontal crashes with another vehicle or pedestrian in certain situations and conditions. If the system detects another vehicle or pedestrian, the system will first provide a collision warning and then the system will automatically apply braking if the driver has not taken any corrective action.

 

.

 

Yeah, I can see nothing could ever go wrong with that... especially in a first year release.

 

Besides, if one is too busy with one's cell phone to notice things in one's path then you should be taking a cab rather than getting some technology to play nursemaid. The technology does nothing to improve stopping distance or any other really useful assistance - it merely reacts when the driver foolishly does not, substituting its own judgement for that of the inattentive driver.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Should certainly help the newspaper-reading, food-munching, manicuring public be more effective in rush hour