Ford improves security through GPS and wireless technologies

In both the U.S. and Europe, Ford is working on wireless technologies to improve safety. The manufacturer combines GPS, digital map, radar, video camera and radio to establish a first communication between vehicles and also a dialogue between the vehicle and infrastructure. It all started in America with the Smart Intersection project. By fitting the traffic light sensors, and enabling them to communicate with vehicles approaching an intersection, it becomes possible to prevent such a car is running a red light. The information, correlated with the GPS position can then be processed by the computer which warns the driver.

This program has been used to develop such a different function, which is the automatic braking when approaching an intersection. Called ABIC (Automatic Braking Intersection Collision Avoidance System), it activates the brakes in an emergency. You should know that 40% of accidents occur at intersections in the USA.

The advantage of wireless communication is to share information to all vehicles within a radius of several tens to several hundreds of meters. Data are processed through the pilot electronic active safety systems

With this experience, Ford will participate in a program of research in Germany. Planned for 2012, this project will draw upon 400 cars for scale tests. The test will be used to assess the impact on security, but also in terms of reducing congestion. Wireless communication is used for example to alert drivers about the work, the alternative routes and points of interest.