Ford Fights Back Petextrian Injuries

A rise in pedestrian injuries is linked to an increase of “petextrians” – people texting while walking.  One pedestrian is injured every 8 minutes in a motor vehicle crash. Ford advanced technology can help reduce crash severity and may even eliminate collisions by detecting distracted walking.

Ford Fights Back Petextrian Injuries

Available in the 2017 Ford Fusion, Ford’s new Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection can actually predict the movement of pedestrians!  The technology uses advanced radar and camera’s to scan the roadway ahead for collision risks.  When it does, a series of warnings are sent to the driver.  If the driver fails to recognize the danger, the safety system automatically will cause the vehicle to apply full brake force!

Ford driver assist technologies manager Scott Lindstrom says, “Since we are trying to avoid a collision that hasn’t happened yet, prediction of the future is an inherent part of the puzzle.”  The system was developed using more than 240 terabytes of test data.  That’s equal to 20.4 trillion books, or 34 million books multiplied by 600!

Watch petexrians and Ford’s Pedestrian Detection technology in action here:

The system works in daylight and in clear weather conditions at speeds up to 80 km/h.  Information is collected from a windshield-mounted camera and rear radar that can classify different scenarios involving vehicles and pedestrians.  Ultimately, the driver cannot yet be replaced, so caution and alertness of your surroundings while operating a vehicle are necessary.

Ford conducted half-a-million plus miles (800,000km) of development testing in Europe, China and the United States.  In just 15 weeks in North American alone, the technology recorded more than 3 million scans of roadside objects, vehicles and pedestrians across roughly 70-percent non-highway and 30 percent highway miles.

This could very well save your life!

The Ford Fusion is the first car in North America to offer a pedestrian detection system.  The 2017 Fusion Sport will soon arrive at Sherwood Ford. Learn more about the 2017 Ford Fusion Sport.