Ford Says New Safety Systems Superior to Competition

DEARBORN, MI – Ford says its new safety technologies, set to debut next year on the ’13 Explorer SUV, are superior to similar features offered by competitors.

The system combines three features – driver-alert system, lane-keeping alert and lane-keeping aid.

Enhanced MyKey remote-control and warning system blocks incoming phone calls, text messages.

The driver-alert system uses a front-mounted camera to monitor the vehicle’s movement in relation to lane markings. If erratic driving is detected, a chime sounds and a coffee-cup icon is displayed on the instrument cluster.

In the event the first warning goes unheeded, another warning and chime are issued. The system is reset once a driver stops and either opens the door or shuts off the engine.

Ford says the system is meant to prevent drowsy drivers from making a potentially fatal error. The auto maker cites research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit educational and research organization, that says 40% of Americans have fallen asleep or nodded off while driving.

Lane-keeping alert uses the same camera to detect lane drifting and alerts the driver through a vibration in the steering wheel.

The lane-keeping aid gives extra feedback by providing steering torque to alert the driver to steer back toward the center of the lane. Ford says the system calculates the amount of steering required based on several factors including distance to the lane markings, yaw angle and curve radius.

When a driver activates the turn signal, the system deactivates. The driver also can override the system by countersteering, hard braking or fast acceleration, and is able to adjust settings to alter the sensitivity of the system and degree of haptic feedback, Ford says.

Although a number of auto makers offer similar systems, including Mercedes-Benz and Lexus, Ford’s system is unique, says Raj Nair, vice president of engineering for Global Product Development.

“The devil is in the details and the algorithms you use on determining how close to the lane you’re coming, including the rate you’re coming to it. Are you sensing an intentional change of lane or unintentional drift?” he tells WardsAuto at a media event here.

“The fine line of a system being an aid or intrusive lies there,” Nair says. “Our lane-keeping aid uses our electric power for steering torque, and we think that’s a better approach than some competitors that use brake systems to provide that type of steering aid.”

Nair says Ford stands out because it’s a mainstream brand, while competitors offering similar technologies do so in luxury vehicles.

Ford also announces a new “Do Not Disturb” feature in its MyKey technology, which allows parents of young drivers to alter the vehicle’s systems and performance in a number of ways, including limiting audio-system volume and top speed.

Working in conjunction with Ford’s Sync infotainment system, “Do Not Disturb” blocks incoming phone calls or text messages from a Bluetooth-paired mobile phone. Incoming calls are sent directly to voice mail.

Ford says the system is designed to cut down on distraction, a top cause of accidents that is responsible for 16% of fatal crashes involving young drivers, according to U.S. Department of Transportation studies.

Ford says it develops new systems designed to curtail driver distraction based on research and survey findings, many of which are contradictory to what some might consider a distraction.

Louis Tijerina, a Ford senior technical specialist, throws water on the theory that talking on a cell phone while driving causes distraction. Wireless subscriptions have increased by more than 1,000% since 1995, yet there has been no corresponding increase in accidents, he says.

“Looking away from the road is more dangerous than talking,” Tijerina says, citing USDOT data.

The same USDOT research shows some activities actually increase safety, including talking on the phone and looking outside the vehicle, both of which were found to foster alertness and decrease fatigue, especially among long-haul truck drivers.

“Not all distractions are created equal,” he says, citing research indicating drinking, eating or listening to the radio do not cause distraction.

Of all rated activities, texting was found to be the most dangerous, increasing the risk of a crash by 23 times.

Tijerina says while no technology will eliminate all distractions, systems such as Ford’s Sync, which feature hands-free control of several systems through voice control, comes the closest.

“If there’s any one single thing to improve safety, it’s keep your eyes on the road,” he says.

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