Cars are getting smarter every year and slowly moving towards the autonomous car that Google has been working on. Until that day, though, traditional manufacturers like Ford and Audi have been building technology into our cars. Here’s some of the ways Ford plans to change the way we drive.
Comfort and Convenience
One of the biggest advantages to smart cars is improving the driver’s comfort and convenience. New cars from Ford are being fitted with sensors that know when aspects such as the weather or time change and can automatically activate windscreen wipers or the headlights depending on the situation. Built-in satellite navigation systems aren’t just used for getting you from A to B either, but can also intelligently point out the nearest petrol station, hotel, or points of interest.
Ford’s new voice control system, Ford SYNC, allows you to control various aspects of your car while you focus on the road. You can take calls from your phone hands-free, have the system relay text messages you’ve received or even alter the vehicle’s temperature through voice commands. Ford’s voice control system has also expanded this service to entertainment, allowing you to switch radio stations or control the music on your phone or MP3 player.
Safety and Drive
Ford isn’t just using this technology to keep us entertained, though. It also plans to help us in critical situations. In the event of an emergency, such as when the airbag has been deployed or the fuel pump has been deactivated, SYNC can make a direct call to the emergency services and pass on your GPS coordinates. This technology has been available in specific models for a couple of years now, such as the 2012 B-MAX or last year’s Fiesta and Kuga models. Take a look at listings sites like Exchange and Mart for great deals on used models.
Ford’s Active City Stop technology is made to reduce accident in slow-moving, bumper-to-bumper traffic. Active City Stop-enabled cars can apply the brakes for you if the vehicle in front of you has stopped suddenly. These technologies are also made to alert you to any bad habits you may have picked up over the years and help you correct them. Forward Alert warns you if start to get too close to the vehicle in front and, similarly, Ford’s Lane Keeping Aid will let you know if you begin to drift out of your designated lane by vibrating the steering wheel and displaying a clear visual warning on the dashboard. If you are slow to react to this, Lane Keeping Aid can help guide you safely into the correct lane.
While driving is simply getting from point A to B for a lot of people, it’s also an enjoyable experience for many of us. How do you feel about more technology becoming a part of the automobile industry and of the thought that cars might be completely self-driving one day? Let us know in the comments.
