Ford sees around bends with new braking system

The technology works via wireless signals between cars

Ford has released ‘real world’ footage of its Electronic Brake Light technology in action in Germany.

The early warning technology allows cars to essentially talk to each other, allowing a car to alert following cars that it is braking – even if the following cars are around a bend or in traffic.

The Electronic Brake Light works by wirelessly transmitting a signal in an emergency braking situation which illuminates a dashboard light in following cars.

Ford believes such a device could prevent collisions.

It is one of 20 potential new safety technologies Ford is working on as part of the Safe and Intelligent Mobility – Testfield Germany joint industry research project.

Ford used specially equipped S-Max models in this project and also tested its Obstacle Warning system, which alerts drivers not only to an object on the road but also its position and type.

Public Traffic Management and In car Internet Access systems were also tested.

The traffic management technology analyses the impact of traffic scenarios at the point in the journey when the driver is likely to encounter them and in car internet could offer drivers details on free parking spaces or provide up to date images from traffic cameras.

SimTD is a joint project by leading German car manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Daimler, Opel and Volkswagen, as well as component suppliers, communication companies, research institutions and public authorities. It is largely funded by the German Government.

The SimTD field tests took place in the Frankfurt area in December and involved 500 drivers testing 120 vehicles. Drivers logged more than 1.6million kilometers over 41,000 hours on public roads as well as on a test track.

Visit the SimTD website for further details.

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