Ford introduces new technologies to address traffic, parking stress, and other mobility challenges

In a move to address traffic jams and other mobility-related challenges that come with urbanization, Ford is introducing new technologies that aims to help future drivers. The company’s new technologies can be summarized into four core parts – Workload Estimation, Biometric Seat, Perpendicular Parking, and Traffic Jam Assist. Traffic Jam Assist is an intelligent driving technology that reportedly uses radar and camera technology to help a vehicle keep pace with other vehicles in traffic and provide automated steering control to stay in the current lane, hence, reducing driver stress.

Ford said that it also has plans of improving its active park assist technology, a popular feature that allows drivers to parallel park without touching the wheel. Ford intends to add perpendicular parking to the parallel parking maneuvers which is cool. The perpendicular parking functionality will reportedly use the vehicle’s rear parking distance control sensors to monitor for obstructions not seen by the driver when backing into the space. On the other hand, Ford’s workload estimation technology uses real-time data from existing sensors combined with the driver’s use of the throttle, brakes and steering wheel to come up with an intelligent system.

Furthermore, researchers at Ford are reportedly using biometric information – such as the driver’s pulse and breathing – through sensors in the steering wheel, seat and seat belt to provide a more complete model of driver stress levels. “Developing these technologies is part of the first step in a journey toward a more connected future. It’s an undertaking we believe will save time, conserve resources, lower emissions, improve safety and help reduce driver stress,” Ford Chief Technical Officer Paul Mascarenas said.

Gene Ryan Briones
Categories: Transportation
Tags: ford