by Myka Isabel D. Basco
Nowadays, cars have better designs, advanced technology and improved deficiency. However, safety is just as important as it was before. Driving is risky and as a driver, you should know how to turn your wheels safely and smoothly in order for you to avoid crashes and help lower the risks and dangers behind the wheel. So how safe are you while driving? Are you comfortable when driving?
Safety has always been part of Ford’s culture. Ford Motor Company, one of the automotive companies that provide innovative safety technology has recently launched their “Caring for Tomorrow” campaign. The campaign offers a sneak peak into the future of safety. During the launch, greater safety awareness was showcased as well as some of Ford’s new safety and driver assistance technologies that could assist drivers when they encounter challenging traffic conditions.
According to the Managing Director of Ford Philippines, Kay Hart, “with the launch of this campaign, we’re hoping to engage Filipinos in a conversation about safer driving, to help them make better choices for themselves and for their loved ones”.
To make the project even more possible, they are going to further develop innovative safety technologies that are both accessible and affordable. “Our engineers are putting themselves in consumers’ shoes and developing features and technologies that make the on-road experience safer and smarter,” said Pete Hardigan, director of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Asia Pacific.
Through this campaign, Ford will totally urge consumers to drive safely, and to consider technologies that can help them for the sake of their loved ones. During the entire event, participants and visitors were given a chance to experience Ford’s newest inventions:
Safety Features
1. Strong Structure
– Ultra high-strength steels, including boron steels, help protect vehicle occupant.
2. Active City Stop
– Designed to mitigate and, in certain circumstances, avoid low-speed rear –end collisions with stationary or slower-moving traffic in front.
3. Rear Inflatable Seatbelt
– Additional protection for second row occupants, especially children and the elderly who are more vulnerable to injury.
4. My Key
Parents will appreciate the hands-on demonstration of MyKey. An industry-first technology that allows parents to program a key for younger drivers that limits top speed, reduces maximum radio volume, disables the radio until the seatbelts are fastened, and prevents deactivation of driver assistance and safety technologies.
Apart from providing peace of mind to parents, MyKey gives younger drivers freedom while encouraging them to be more responsible and safer drivers behind the wheel.
Driver Assist Technologies
1. Ford SYNC
Provides hands-free way to use mobile phones and music players with voice commands. It allows drivers to stay connected while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
2. SYNC with MyFord Touch
Combines voice and touch technology to provide an interactive infotainment system.
3. Active Park Assist
Having the car steer itself into a parallel parking space. The technology is designed to take the hassle out of parallel parking.
4. Lane keeping Aid
Aids driver’s steering to stay within the lane.
5. Adaptive Cruise Control
Allows drivers to keep pace with the traffic ahead, accelerating or braking as needed.
Ergonomics
1. Pregnancy Suit
Helps engineers understand the needs and potential restrictions of pregnant women behind the wheel.
2. Third age Suit
Gives younger engineers and designers a feel for the needs of the elderly.
Driver Education
1. Driving Skills for Life
Driver education program that teaches safe, smart and fuel-efficient driving techniques.
2. Pet safety
Driving tips to keep your pet safe and comfortable in the car.
One vision that Ford is helping to make a reality is vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication systems. V2V is allowing cars to communicate with each other about driving and traffic conditions, even when they are out of sight of each other while V2I allow cars to talk to infrastructure and traffic management systems. Their costumers will look forward to these wonderful inventions and hopefully; the result could turn be safer roads, improved mobility, reduced emissions and fuel consumption.