Futurologists of the recent past dreamt of flying carriages, self-propelled boats and cruise trains. However, none of these concepts has not been implemented: for long distances we move the aircraft, and the most effective transport for short trips remains the car. However, the very concept of this type of transport is going through a transition period. To fly, of course, the car still will not learn, but the format of usage is changing. The car owner today is experiencing the same feelings as the owner of a smart phone. You remember how Tesla has updated the firmware of their machines and sold complete autopilot. In the same direction and other automakers.
We visited the research center of Ford in Aachen and the German looked at what the company will offer fans in the next couple of years.
Ford Edge near a research center in Aachen
Ford Edge near a research center in Aachen
Stronger, lighter and more environmentally friendly
With all the advanced electronic stuffing, the car is still a complicated mechanism, and therefore, its design should be changed too in accordance with the requirements of the time. The latest initiative of Ford – active use of the latest aluminum alloys. Today almost every machine to varying degrees, consists of composites and aluminum, but Ford seems to have decided to come off in full and released a huge pick-up truck F-150 all-aluminum body.
10 years ago the very idea of “aluminum pickup truck” would sound funny, but today the company is dealing with such alloys that are superior in strength to traditional steel. However, Ford F-150 is notable not only for it. It is actively used recycled plastic. For example, the seats are entirely made of materials obtained by recycling plastic bottles. A similar approach is applied to the interior of passenger cars, however, all the innovations introduced with great caution, so as not to scare away customers.
In the case of cars we are talking about using bioplastic, which is derived from processing plants gvajula (grown for rubber), as well as hemp and skins of tomatoes. Ford even signed an agreement with the Heinz Corporation, which processes up to 2 million tons of tomatoes every year in the production of ketchup, leaving the skins as waste. They can get fiber and produce small elements of the interior: the body of the glove box, the rim of the rear view mirror and compartments for storage of various little things in the cabin.
Today’s bioplastics in strength and performance not inferior to traditional plastics, however, looks a little shabby, so it’s a light beige with a rough surface, therefore it is usually additionally stained top.
The use of aluminum in passenger cars can significantly reduce weight and therefore fuel consumption. But even more promising material is carbon fiber, though its use in budget models of Ford cars is limited to high value aluminum is still cheaper.
Measuring equipment for analyzing exhaust gas
Another aspect of “going green” – reduction of harmful emissions. The recent scandal with the Volkswagen concern has forced automakers to reconsider the approach to the research. Ford is also not left behind.
The company started to measure the content of harmful substances in the exhaust gases in the laboratory and in real conditions. To do this, by European and American cities goes several vehicles with measuring equipment that analyzes the composition of the exhaust gas depending on the mode of travel and individual driving style. The obtained data, says Ford, will allow to better evaluate the emissions in developing cars.
The autopilot and safety
Full autopilot in a Ford vehicle yet, the company is now osredotocila to assist the driver in everyday situations. The system Traffic Jam Assist combines several already existing and working technologies like Ford automatic choke and engine start, adaptive cruise control and automatic lane keeping driving.
Traffic Jam Assist
The camera on the windshield and a radar hidden in the grille, continually assess the traffic situation. The machine can automatically brake if the car ahead slows, and to keep moving. No switching between manual and automatic modes is not required – you can always turn the steering wheel to change gear or press on the brake.
Traffic Jam Assist
Some innovations don’t impress with their advanced technology, however, greatly facilitate the life of the driver. When going to a T-junction with limited visibility helps panoramic camera on the grille. She is closer to crossing the road than the driver, and 180-degree viewing angle lets you see pedestrians or cars approaching. The picture from the camera is broadcast on a screen in the cabin, plus it can be switched from panorama mode to normal.
Panoramic camera on the grille.
The question of the viability of this system in Russia taken into account at the stage of implementation: the lens of the camera is additionally equipped with a nozzle washer and operated the same way as washing the windshield. The video shows how it works:
Rear wide-angle camera yet, but there are a couple of radars that “see” the traffic and warn the driver an audible signal. Again, nothing manually do not have to include the radar activates automatically when reverse gear is engaged.
Automatic Parking
In the Ford cars (Focus and Kuga) was already implemented automatic Parking. We personally have experienced her in action and was very pleased, but if earlier it was intended just to help inexperienced drivers, it is now possible to Park, driving the car with the remote. Even have your driving skills allow you to Park in tight spots, out of the car, it was not always possible, because it is banal there was no place to open the door.
It is now possible to drive up to the intended Parking spot, exit the car and Park it by pressing the button on the remote. The main thing is that the key has been in front of you, otherwise the system will refuse to work for safety reasons. Here’s how the whole process looks like from the inside, please note that the driver’s seat is unoccupied:
In auto Parking a car can fold the mirrors and turning the steering wheel to correct the trajectory. If suddenly appears an obstacle is a pedestrian or another car — “drone” instantly stop, and continues moving only after the driver presses the button.
By the time mass adoption of this system a separate remote no need to operate the machine you will be using the app on your smartphone. It can be used not only at street Parking, but also to check in the garage or in a narrow gate at their summer cottage.
What’s next
All of this one step brings us closer to the concept car, but driving without human intervention are not yet available. In the near future, manual control will be used for departure from the yard or from the garage (this will help the many smart systems), and when driving on city streets or trails you can switch on the autopilot and enjoy the quick and efficient movement from point A to point B. the Vehicles will be actively “communicate” with each other, to transmit information about traffic and speed of movement, to recognize the signs and information boards, and so on. True, still nobody is clear how it will be legally and who ultimately will be held responsible for accidents involving automatic and semi-automatic cars.