Advanced Driver Assistance Systems in the Ford Ranger Aid Driver and Passenger Safety
When the Ford Ranger made its first public appearance at the 2010 Australian International Motor Show, it was more than just the eye-catching design and capability of the all-new pick-up that set it apart from the competition. It was the highly advanced levels of safety, security, and occupant protection.
During development, Ford engineers ran thousands of simulations to develop a strong enough vehicle to do the job and safe enough to protect occupants in a crash. In addition, Ford fitted the Ranger with comprehensive crash avoidance technology to prevent crashes from happening in the first place.
These Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) helped the Ranger to become the first pick-up in its class to achieve the maximum five-star European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) / Australian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) rating in 2012.
Safety Evolution
Features like pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking (AEB), available in certain Ranger and Everest models, are designed to reduce the severity of, and in some cases can help prevent, a frontal collision, marking a step toward a smarter, safer future on the road.
AEB uses complementary camera and millimetre-wave radar to detect and identify potential risks on the road on Ford vehicles. While the radar detects obstacles that are farther away and moving fast, such as other vehicles, the camera can also recognise images, such as pedestrians. When the risk is detected, AEB alerts the driver with audible warning sounds and a flashing light. At the same time, the system prepares the brakes for rapid braking. If the driver reacts too slowly, the technology applies the brakes, potentially helping avoid the crash entirely or reduce the impact.
Ford ADAS features explained
Adaptive Cruise Control
Like regular cruise control, you can set a speed you want the Ranger to maintain, but adaptive cruise control uses radar to maintain a safe and pre-set distance with the vehicle ahead of you.
Adjustable Speed Limiter
Driving on a long stretch of highway? Keep within the law and set the adjustable speed limiter to the legal limit of the motorway you are on. Once set, your Ranger will not go over the speed limit, even if you step on the throttle.
Parking Sensors with Rear View Camera
Ranger helps you reverse into tight spaces with the combination of rear parking sensors and rearview camera images that can be conveniently viewed on your SYNC infotainment screen.
Lane Keep Assist
Ranger uses a camera to scan the road ahead for lane markings to detect if your pick-up truck is drifting out of the lane. The feedback you’ll feel through the steering wheel will alert you when your Ranger drifts from the lane, and a steering aid will guide you back to the centre of the lane.
Semi-Auto Active Park Assist
Have trouble with parallel parking? No worries. With the press of a button, Ranger’s semi-auto active park assist can detect a parking spot big enough for your truck and automatically steers itself into place.
Driver Alert System Coffee Cup
Ranger monitors you’re driving behaviour and detects if you are showing any signs of fatigue. A forward-facing camera calculates your vigilance level based on the vehicle position within the lane. If Ranger detects you are becoming less and less vigilant, an audible chime and a coffee cup logo will appear in the instrument cluster, suggesting the driver take a break.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection
AEB can avoid a collision with a vehicle or pedestrian using advanced camera technology by pre-charging the brakes for increased braking power and response. Ranger can also automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision with a vehicle or pedestrian at speeds over 3.6km/h.
[1] ADAS features may vary on the specific Ranger Variant. Please check your local Ford website or visit your preferred Ford dealership for more details.
[2] ADAS features do not replace the driver and are driver aids. Always drive safely and follow local road laws.
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Ford Media Center SA - https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/img/za/en/news/2021/06/29/How-to-Make-Safe-Even-Safer-Advanced-Driver-Assistance-Systems-in-the-Ford-Ranger-Aid-Driver-and-Passenger-Safety.html
