Ford introduces Pre-Collision/Pedestrian-Detection

Ford Motor Company said it will install its new Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection on its vehicles starting next year. The potentially life-saving technology will appear on the all-new 2015 Ford Mondeo in Europe and subsequently be rolled out into other global markets. The automaker did not offer a specific time frame for its arrival in the U.S. nor named any Ford/Lincoln models that would benefit from its implementation.

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Like similar setups offered by other manufacturers, the aim of Ford’s latest driver-assist feature is to prevent or reduce the severity of forward collisions with vehicles and pedestrians. It uses a windshield-mounted camera and radar located near the bumper to scan the road ahead for impact threats and immediately issues audio and visual warnings if a collision of any kind is deemed imminent. Should the driver fail to respond in a timely manner, the system first improves brake response by minimizing the pad-to-rotor gap and ultimately autonomously applies full braking force. To enhance the system’s pedestrian detection capability, it compares input info against an onboard database that distinguishes between human forms and roadside objects or scenery. 

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In addition to extensive closed-course evaluation during its early development, Ford’s Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection was subjected to extensive real-world testing "because pedestrians in an urban setting can present a wide range of potential situations," noted Scott Lindstrom, manager, Driver Assist Technologies. He added that development process included covering more than 300,000 miles on three continents.

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