Ford tests early warning Electronic Brake Light system

Ford electronic brake light tech

Ford has been field-testing a high-tech early warning ‘brake light’ system that can warn drivers following behind, even if they can’t actually see the car right ahead (as when around a bend). The technology is one of 20 potential future systems the company has helped evaluate as part of Safe Intelligent Mobility – Testfield Germany (simTD), a four-year joint industry German research project.

In emergency braking situations, the experimental Electronic Brake Light transmits a wireless signal to illuminate a dashboard light in cars following behind. The study has found that the system enables drivers to brake earlier and thus, mitigate or avoid a collision.

Ford used 20 specially-equipped S-MAX models to help test the potential of car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communication in the simTD field tests, which involved 500 test drivers in 120 vehicles logging more than 41,000 hours and around 1.6 million kilometres on public roads and an enclosed test track in Germany.

The Blue Oval offerings also trialled an Obstacle Warning system, which alerts to the presence, position and type of potentially hazardous objects in the road, as well as a system called Traffic Sign Assistant, which keeps the vehicle in contact with traffic management centres for up-to-date information.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Sam Pooh on Jun 24, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    By the time you finish your nasi lemak, your Ford could depreciate to the price of the paper that wrapped your nasi lemak. Your paper lama dealer in your neighbourhood will agree with me. Go trade your Ford to the paper lama, they will surely reject!

    Meanwhile the Toyota Avanza depreciates 0.16% per annum for 3 years and then it actually APPRECIATES by 4.75% per annum! The appreciation can pay for your nasi lemak for the rest of your life!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 40
    • Koala5 on Jun 24, 2013 at 6:42 pm

      I gave you a like because you made me giggle.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
    • Same old retard toyota salesman…toyota sold to malaysian underspec vehicle to cover their RV…i can bet you that all toyota salesman are liars, they will not help you and give all sort of excuses when you try to sell your used toyota just so they can buy cheap…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Gavin on Jun 24, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    Educating drivers to brake is not a problem, we do it naturally

    Educating people to KEEP THEIR DISTANCE is the problem here

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
    • kenot on Jun 24, 2013 at 3:05 pm

      yes. i agree with you. some of the driver like tailgate. even worst they are heavy vehicles.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • zamer on Jun 24, 2013 at 8:31 pm

      agreed…1 more i really hate, on highways when from far already giving high beam..truly no manners..

      for all who did this,,please be considerate..imagine a granma or granpa is in the situation..
      if unlucky, u might be paying the damages because person in front has the right to jam brake..i like to do that..hehe..not because to punish..but to let u slow down..

      can drive fast but only when not dangering other motorist

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • policeman on Jun 24, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    Here we go! After electronic throttle and electric power steering, electric brakes are on the way. More stuff to malfunction.

    Can’t any car maker just come out with a reliable mechanical car?

    30 years ago, cars were good. No electronic throttle, no electric steering, no shitload of sensors, no fuel injection, no ABS, no EBD, no problems.

    Cars now are so unreliable, and too much dependencies on computers/electronics.

    I blame women for this. They need power steering, reverse sensors, brake assist, vanity mirrors, automatic transmission, auto headlights, auto climate control, auto wipers, auto parking, cruise control, seat height adjuster.

    I seriously believe if women are banned from driving, the streets will be much safer. Or have male lanes and female lanes in the street.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 9
    • Do you drive better? on Jun 25, 2013 at 1:18 pm

      If there was a moron lane, you will be in it.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 0
 

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