Ford claims Co-Pilot360, the new name under which it will bundle such technology in the US from this autumn, is "most advanced suite of standard driver assist technology among full-line brands" and "aims to help people around the world more safely and confidently face congested roads".
Co-Pilot360 includes standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot information system, lane keeping system, rear backup camera and auto high beam lighting. It will be launched for new passenger cars, SUVs and trucks up to the top selling F-150 in North America, starting with the redesigned 2019 Edge SUV line this autumn.
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"Though our vehicles today are safer than ever, drivers tell us they are still stressed about getting in a potential accident," said the automaker's global markets head Jim Farley.
"That's one reason why we're making these 'must have' technology accessible to millions of customers each year.
Ford claims the package offers a combination of features other non-luxury competitors don't offer as standard in North America.
Standard automatic emergency braking – or pre-collision assist with pedestrian detection – addresses, Ford said, its research showing a growing trend of people worrying about hitting pedestrians and will be standard on 91% of Ford brand vehicles in North America by 2020.
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By GlobalDataCommercial vehicle buyers will benefit – by 2020, E-Series, F-650 and F-750 and the F59 chassis will offer automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, driver alert system and other features as an option.
Ford said a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) study had shown having technology such as AEB can help prevent and mitigate rear end crashes, which can help CV customers lower their cost of ownership.
More driver assist technology is planned. Next year, Ford plans to launch – in both North America and its Asia Pacific markets – automatic emergency braking when in reverse.
The company also is spending US$500m over the next five years to continue developing new driver assist and safety technology. Key areas of focus will be simplifying the technology so it works as expected – especially as driving controls become more automated. Researchers test the user experience at the automaker's Virttex driving simulator in Dearborn and run new systems through a battery of simulations built from more than hundreds of thousands of miles of testing across the country.
Engineers tested a recent suite of radar and camera technology for more than 660,000 miles across the globe.This work also will help people become more comfortable with the idea of autonomous vehicles.
"Many people question the idea of autonomous vehicles," Farley said. "But those who use advanced driver assist technology today say they are more open to cars doing all of the driving in the future."
