Ford is to debut its own collision detection and avoidance technology with the 2015 Ford Mondeo, which it claims may stop some frontal crashes and help save pedestrian lives.
Like similar techs from other car manufacturers, such as Volvo, the Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection technology uses radar and camera sensors to scan the road ahead. If a vehicle or person is spotted ahead in the car's path, an audible and visual warning is sent to the driver. If that has been missed or ignored, the car will then apply the brakes up to the fullest force it can in order to help prevent an accident or minimise damage.
Pre-Collision Assist can potentially help avoid impact with other cars at any speed, while the Pedestrian Detection tech works at slower speeds, such as in a town or city. The latter also requires daylight and clear weather conditions to work effectively.
"This technology adds to the already impressive list of driver-assist technologies Ford customers benefit from today," said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president of global product development.
The European market will be the first to get the technology on the Mondeo. It will then roll out to other Ford and Lincoln vehicles around the world.
Other technologies also already available from the car manufacturer include a lane-keeping system with lane-keeping aid, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and conventional collision warning and brake support systems.