Ford Introduces Collision Warning with Brake Support

Select Ford and Lincoln products to be enhanced with active safety features for 2009.

by Christopher Jackson
October 9, 2008 7:17 PM
Filed Under: American, Ford, Technology

Ford is enjoying the latest benefits of its ownership of Volvo, as it debuts its new Collision Warning with Brake Support system on select Ford and Lincoln vehicles for 2009. While not officially borrowed from the safety-conscious Swedish manufacturer, the system, as well as the upcoming Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and adaptive cruise control that are also being introduced on Ford products next year, has already appeared on Volvo models and was no doubt developed in conjunction with Ford’s captive brand.

Borrowed or not, Collision Warning with Brake Support is an impressive active safety feature. Using the radar that also informs the active cruise control of vehicles ahead, Collision Warning with Brake Support informs the driver with a visual and audible warning if a collision is imminent. The system can call the driver’s attention back to the road in case of a sudden lapse, which might just mean the difference between a violent rear-end crash or a swerve to safety. Collision Warning with Brake Support also pre-charges the braking system to get maximum braking power as quickly as possible. The system’s sensitivity can be adjusted to the reaction time of a particular driver, to limit the number of false alarms.
BLIS is also radar-based, and can detect objects close to the vehicle’s rear quarter panels. It’s able to inform the driver of vehicles in the car’s blind spot, and will sound a warning if you’re about to merge when it’s not safe. It also includes a Cross Traffic Alert system. By using the radar to detect objects up to 65 feet away, the system can warn of approaching cars or pedestrians when backing out of a blind parking spot.

Ford hasn’t offered any specific applications yet, but Collision Warning with Brake Support will likely be available on the Lincoln MKS in 2009, since that car is already equipped with the adaptive cruise control whose radar system it shares. Other Ford and Lincoln products will follow.

Source: Ford
Press Release (Click to expand)

FORD’S LATEST SAFETY BRAKETHROUGH – COLLISION WARNING WITH BRAKE SUPPORT – COMING IN 2009

• Ford to introduce new "active" safety radar warning system – Collision Warning with Brake Support – in 2009 to help drivers avoid rear-end accidents.

• Collision Warning with Brake Support uses radar to detect moving vehicles ahead and warns the driver of danger with an alarm and warning light. The system also automatically pre-charges brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system to help drivers stop more quickly.

• Collision Warning with Brake Support is one of three new radar-based active safety technologies Ford is launching in 2008 and 2009. The others are Adaptive Cruise Control and BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert.

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 6, 2008 – Ford Motor Company, building on its safety and technology leadership, announced it will offer a new advanced "active" collision-avoidance technology, Collision Warning with Brake Support, on certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles next year.

Collision Warning with Brake Support uses radar to detect moving vehicles directly ahead. When the danger of a collision is detected, the system warns the driver with an authoritative beep and a red warning light projected on the windshield above the instrument panel. The system also automatically pre-charges brakes and engages a brake-assist feature that helps drivers quickly reach maximum braking once the brakes are engaged.

Collision Warning with Brake Support is one of three new radar-based active safety and driver-aid technologies Ford is launching across a range of vehicles in 2008 and 2009. The others are Adaptive Cruise Control, launched this year, and BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert, which debuts in 2009. All three features use radar to detect the relative position of other vehicles and warn the driver with a combination of visual and audio alerts.

The new technologies build on Ford's leading number of top safety ratings, including the most 5-star government ratings of any automaker, and a leading number of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety "Top Safety Picks."

"The new Collision Warning with Brake Support technology puts us on the leading edge of active safety to help customers detect and avoid possible dangers," said Paul Mascarenas, Ford vice president of engineering, Global Product Development. "Ford will be the first to offer this technology on mainstream models that many families can afford."

Unexpected detected

Collision Warning with Brake Support builds on the basic function of Adaptive Cruise Control, a driver-assistance feature that Ford introduced on the 2009 Lincoln MKS. Adaptive Cruise Control uses radar to detect moving vehicles immediately ahead and modify cruising speed if necessary.

"Adaptive Cruise Control really marked the beginning of pre-emptive driver-assistance systems," said Jerry Engelman, Adaptive Cruise Control supervisor, Chassis Electronics. "Ford was able to use the radar technology and experience to develop the Collision Warning with Brake Support system."

Research indicates that Collision Warning with Brake Support could be particularly helpful in warning a driver who is distracted or drowsy. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the majority of accidents involve driver inattention. The agency's research found that one extra second of warning could prevent up to 90 percent of rear-end collisions. CWBS offers three programmable alert settings ranging from approximately 1.5 seconds to 2.5 seconds.

"It depends on the user's preference, because one person's false alarm may be another person's near miss, and it's important that drivers are comfortable with the system," said Tom Pilutti, technical expert, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. "Some people have a slower reaction time, and the longer time setting may meet their needs better than the shorter setting. Our research shows that most drivers will prefer and feel more comfortable with the longer default setting."

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, forward collision warning systems like Collision Warning with Brake Support have the potential to help prevent the kind of rear-end crashes that occurred 2.3 million times per year from 2002-2006 – almost 40 percent of the total crashes reported to police each year in the U.S.

Clearer sight with science

BLISTM (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert can help provide extra confidence to drivers in parking lots by alerting drivers sooner of nearby traffic while backing out. It uses two multiple beam radar modules, which are packaged in the rear quarter panels. The radar detects moving objects within a 65-foot range from either side of the vehicle. The radar identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone and illuminates an indicator light on the corresponding side-view mirror providing a warning that a vehicle is approaching. An audible alert is sounded as well.

Researchers at Ford's North American advanced driving simulator, Virtual Test Track Experiment (VIRTTEX), dedicated most of the past few years studying how active safety technologies in vehicles may better alert drivers of potentially dangerous driving incidents.

"New technologies such as radar, cameras, lasers and GPS may enable us to offer more safety and convenience features in the future," said Jeff Rupp, manager, Active Safety, Research and Advanced Engineering at Ford's Research and Innovation Center. "A key is identifying the kinds of warnings that drivers will find both more effective and easier to understand."

For Collision Warning with Brake Support, VIRTTEX researchers learned drivers respond more quickly to certain audible alerts that are more authoritative. Their research also shows some preference for a combination of warnings – audio alerts backed up by a visual warning – such as those that will be offered with Collision Warning with Brake Support system.

Safety in demand

Vehicle safety technology is second only to fuel efficiency on customers purchase consideration lists, according to a recent study by RDA Group Global Market Research of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. According to the research, among consumers' top desires for safety features are collision warning and prevention, greater traction controls, entrapment prevention, and vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

"Over the past several years we've seen drivers' attitudes change regarding safety technology," said Jim Thomas, senior vice president, RDA. "It used to be that they didn't want to release control of the vehicle at all, but now they're looking for the vehicle to be more proactive."

Press Release

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Comments

That reversing out thing is neat. I wonder if it can do it from the front too? This would help ensure people don't pull out in front of moving traffic as a junction of example. I guess it could scupper any attempt to rush out before the traffic gets too close and jam on the brakes, so it has its perils as well.

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by bristol411s3 | October 9, 2008 7:50 PM

that would be a good idea for the front side too.. however... front view is only really used when ur not in a parking lot?? it can be used there, but lets say ur trying to get into ur lane on that street, and u can't see anything comming out. those cars will probably be comming at 60 kmph, where in a parking lot it'll be maybe 15-20 kmph?? maybe more... sensors prob have to reach much further for a better braking distance.

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by carcrazy1234 | October 10, 2008 3:31 AM

WOW this is revolutionary !!.....No Wait the Germans have had this in their vehicles for years. Merc and BMW offered this on the previous generation S & 7 Series models, ages ago. In fact the new "Distronic Plus" offered by Merc will not only assist with braking but come to a complete stop!! - Pre-Chraging of the brakes were used in the Old E-class with the Original SBC braking system "Brake by Wire". It's now available in Most merc models, with the new Hydraulic braking system. But I guess to the Yanks, it'll be new!!!

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by jackjack | October 10, 2008 10:09 AM

HAHA this guy is good. lol

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by pzigly | October 10, 2008 8:29 PM

A lot of car technology used today debuted in S-Classes of old

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by Decypha | October 10, 2008 11:48 AM

I think i remember that (but for the wrong reasons)...

Was that when the Mercedes engineer FORGOT to switch the thing on and, when given a demonstation to the press, the S-Class had a smash!!?

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by 9TNine | October 10, 2008 12:33 PM

To all the A-holes talking about how the S-class did this first...you're correct. But, the "everyman" cannot afford a house on wheels. For this tech to be proliferating into "common" transportation is the true point of this article. I'm sure the FoMoCo is aware of who licensed the tech from suppliers first. But now it will reach the masses, where it can help considerably more people.

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by benz_man | October 10, 2008 6:40 PM

We say this becuase the US has the most money to spend on R&D and we have a good education system. So y doesnt Ford apply these 2 abundant resources to our regular cars and think of something first? What is the point of comming out with a Lincoln line to get yourself in the Lux segmant (to charge more for cars) if all you are doing is just making a bigger car that doesnt compete tech wise? Ford feels like the average kid in class that just trys to wing it through out the whole semester to pull off a passing grade. There is no desire for them to try and get that A score.

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by pzigly | October 10, 2008 8:41 PM

What makes you think US auto companies have the most money to spend on R&D? Mercedes is known for the hundreds of millions they spend on R&D, every year! It took them 11 years (from theory to production) to bring the first gen Distronic out in 2002. Also, you forget that the point of any company is to make a profit. Ford can't just tack an extra 2K on a product for "R&D costs" and get away with it. 2K on a 30K car is a much bigger deal than 2K on a 80K car. The price of components must go down before an "everymans car" can use many of the newer technologies (and the company still make a profit). Ford, Honda, Toyota etc... (you know the whole bunch) are just getting into true rear multi-link suspensions systems that put the kingpin axis outside of the wheel. This is a critical engineering "technology" that provides excellent wheel control and ride characteristics. Mercedes has been doing this since the early 80s. For Ford to be pulling out pre-collision systems this soon is actually pretty impressive.

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by benz_man | October 11, 2008 5:08 AM

It is not impressive because many other compaines are already doing it. This should have been in the Lincon line 2 years ago. I understand that u have to make a profit, but Ford has overlooked the long term and have focused on the cheap short run. Spend on R&D now and use the technology later to sell more cars. US companies, when they want to, will spend the money. Borrowing Money has never been an issue. Issue stocks or bonds. My professor that worked at ford as an engineer told us that ford does not let you try new things, because if you fail they put it in your performance review. So no one is willing to think outside the box.

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by pzigly | October 11, 2008 6:03 AM

The only other companies currently offering this tech are Volvo (Ford), Mercedes, and Lexus (as an expensive option on the LS). For Fords engineering to be mentioned in the same company as these brands is an honor in itself. I don't understand the reasoning in your logic.

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by benz_man | October 11, 2008 9:17 AM

To be fair, Pzigly is also correct. Multiple companies have technologies similar to this. I was under the impression this was the second generation system from Volvo that includes autonomous braking. Systems such as these (that only "pre-charge" the brakes) are used more liberally than I previously stated.

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by benz_man | October 11, 2008 9:57 PM

You forget Infinity already has it on 2 suv's. Im not sure about the cars. 360 camera, and applys the brake on one side of the car to adjust you back in your lane if there is someone in your blind spot.

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by pzigly | October 12, 2008 5:50 AM

While selective lane control systems are quite "trick", the software and processors required are not quite as advanced as crash recognition and mitigation systems. However, Infiniti will already have the hardware "in vehicle" when they do decide to delve deeper into accident mitigation. That should save them some valuable time "to production".

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by benz_man | October 12, 2008 6:05 PM

Pzigly, Benz_Man is right, Merc spends more money on R&D than any other manufacturer. They have the largest Archive of R&D in the World. They are fanatical about R&D, which is why most features you see on cars today was introduced first on the S-Classes of old. But for the yanks it is a first and good for them. Merc_man, you're right, it's about time that the everyday man gets these features as not everybody can afford a Merc. My point that I was making is that the Article states they are borrowing it from Volvo. I assume they are using the same setup as volvo. The only modern major invention of the automobile that Volvo introduced into the market first was the three point seat belt in the 60's. Most of your inventions come from either Merc or BMW and a few from the japs!! Yes, Volvo is focused on safety and airbags etc. But most of the features they didn't invent. Just improved.

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by jackjack | October 11, 2008 12:37 PM

O ya I understand that benz has a lot of money for R&D. My point is that: y doesnt ford do that also? Ford is the second longest mass producing car maker and the revolutionizer of the production line. Y cant they fork over some more money for R&D. Y wait for the Germans to discover everything? Even Hyundai is becoming more inovative!! Even better example: Jag is supposed to compete with the likes of BMW Audi and Merc. But the tech from jag has been absent and cant even compare to the german rivals. Y? because Ford is not making competative cars. They ruined Jag. How is a JAGUAR going to have CD player as an option!!!!???? Even 10k cars have CD players. how is a JAGUAR going to have less Luxury than a toyota camry?

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by pzigly | October 12, 2008 6:02 AM

I'm happy you think automakers can just pull R&D money out of there ass whenever they feel like it. I'd like to graduate from your school of business... So, an all aluminum space frame bonded with high strength resins, engineered by the same company that did the A8 (and the American Space Shuttle) is not high-tech enough for you? What Jaguar doesn't have a CD player? If you mean the now dismissed X-type, of coarse it didnt. Mercedes made c-class buyers pony up extra cash for cd changers until the 204. Ford let Jaguar down from a materials standpoint. The engineering was all there. The current XJ is nicely engineered, then covered in average materials.

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by benz_man | October 12, 2008 6:23 PM

They can pull money out of their ass. Its Ford. Then they issue bonds for R&D, those good old american rednecks that only buy american cars will support them. It doesnt matter if benz made them give them extra cash for a cd changer because they gave them a cd player. If you want to upgrade your system you pay for it. CD player should be standard for every car.

That is exactly what i am saying about the Tech side. If americans want something they can make it. I dont know if they did or not but i am probably guessing that lincoln didnt use the "all aluminum space frame bonded with high strength resins." It doesnt matter if this will make the car more expensive. As we have seen from the S class, people pay for quality. If the lincoln town car was even as advanced as the S class or even a little less advanced people would buy it if it were expensive.

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by pzigly | October 12, 2008 9:04 PM

I know I am talking like its just so easy for them to just do something, but building their image back is exactly what they need.

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by pzigly | October 12, 2008 9:13 PM

THAT'S RUBBISH, FORD IS CRAP IT IMITATES VOLVO IN EVERYTHING. VOLVO SHOULD PUT LIMITS TO AVOID COPYING ITS TECHNOLOGY FROM ITS OWNER

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by xc90mp5 | October 11, 2008 3:35 PM

The current XJ uses the spaceframe. It was designed by Alcoa, the people who did the past two A8s. Mercedes did not supply a CD player as standard. The changer was a $600 option because it communicates on the MOST ring. I must agree, building their image back is exactly what Lincoln needs to do. But, an 80K Towncar (no matter how good) is the last thing people would pay for!

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by benz_man | October 13, 2008 1:13 AM

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