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Ford Creates New Visibility Assistance Devices

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One of the major complaints about modern vehicles is rearward visibility. Auto
Using radar, Ford will help reduce knocks and low-speed parking lot accidents. (Photo: Ford)
manufacturers have responded to the problem of small rear windows and thick pillars with technology. More and more vehicles feature sonar-based parking sensors to prevent low-speed bumps in parking, while the reverse camera is becoming a commonplace on SUVs and luxury vehicles.

Ford is promising to make rearward visibility better with two new systems. The first is an age-old solution to the blind spot, and a manual alternative to the camera and radar-based side blind spot monitoring systems. At the top outside corner of each side-view mirror, Ford is integrating a small convex mirror pointed directly at the side blind spot. This low-cost solution will be standard on many Ford products starting next year.
Blind spot mirror will be offered on most Ford products next year. (Photo: Ford)

The next item is Ford's Cross Traffic Alert, which uses radar-based sensors mounted in the rear bumper of the vehicle. When the driver slots the vehicle into reverse, the system sends out radar waves that pick up moving objects 65 feet to either side of the vehicle. If something is picked up - say, a moving car in a parking lot - an indicator light on the side-view mirror will illuminate, alerting the driver to the direction that the vehicle is coming from.

Although these clever little features sound like they'll be found on European Ford products, they'll actually be on North American cars first. The Cross Traffic Alert will be an option starting next year.




 
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