- Using two specially-equipped Ford Kugas, Ford will give live demonstrations of its experimental vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications technology for the first time in Asia Pacific in downtown Taipei
- Ford’s V2V technology allows cars to transmit data to other similarly equipped cars, including vehicle speed, location and predicted path, in order to anticipate and possibly warn drivers of potential collision risks
- The V2V demonstration will take place during Computex, an information and communications technology expo, where Ford will also be showcasing its in-car connectivity technologies, including SYNC ® and Ford AppLink, and the all-new Ford Mustang
On display for the first time in Asia Pacific, Ford will showcase its experimental vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications technology with live demonstrations in downtown Taipei during Computex.
The demonstration will feature two specially-equipped Ford Kugas in situations where V2V technology could contribute to collision prevention. V2V technology has the potential to decrease accidents, ease traffic congestion and contribute to more efficient driving patterns.
“Ford is playing a leading role in developing this type of vehicle communications technology, entering into major research partnerships with governments, universities and industry groups in the U.S. and Europe,” said Trevor Worthington, vice president, Product Development, Ford Asia Pacific. “We’re thrilled that we have this opportunity to showcase our progress for the first time in Asia Pacific.”
The live demonstration will take place in Taipei’s downtown Zhongshan district, at the Miramar parking lot. The site is located a short drive from the Computex expo, at 218-8 Lequn Third Road.
What do cars say?
Ford’s V2V technology utilizes a Wi-Fi based radio system that allows cars to communicate with one another. This system allows cars to detect and possibly alert drivers to potentially dangerous situations they may not be able to see yet.
The technology enables vehicles to transmit information about speed, position and other vehicle data to other vehicles nearby. Cars with the technology will be able to interpret that data and determine if there is collision risk based on the predicted path.
While available radar-based technologies can detect cars that are already in a car’s blind spot, V2V technology enables cars to detect fast-moving vehicles before they enter into the blind spot. Drivers may be alerted to vehicles approaching at a high-speed in advance, allowing them to make more informed, safe decisions.
Without V2V technology, drivers have to depend on what they can see to make decisions. With V2V communication, drivers may receive alerts of vehicles that would otherwise be obscured by objects or circumstances, such as at an intersection, while following behind an oversized vehicle or going around a sharp turn.
Shaping the future of mobility
Ford’s Blueprint for Mobility, which outlines near-, mid- and long-term solutions for the changing transportation landscape, considers increased communication between cars and their surroundings key technologies that will reshape transportation in an increasingly crowded and urbanized world.
Along with V2V technology, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication will play a major role in guiding the future of transportation. Ford is also investigating V2I communication systems, which may enable vehicles to interact with infrastructure and, for example, receive notifications relating to traffic jams, accidents or other developments that would influence a driver’s plans.
Ford is working closely with public authorities, standards organizations and other global automakers to develop harmonized standards for V2V and V2I technologies to support widespread adoption and institution. Organizations across public and private sectors, including government organizations, universities, research institutes, technology suppliers and automakers, will need to align in order to support global vehicle platforms and to develop a reliable and standardized technology infrastructure.
Such partnerships include the “Safe Intelligent Mobility – Test Field Germany” (simTD) program, a large-scale field operation test with 120 vehicles and more than 500 drivers involved, partially funded by the German government. The program, which concluded in 2013, was undertaken by car companies, suppliers, telecommunication providers, research institutes and public authorities. Ford provided test vehicles for the project, and led the development of the Electronic Emergency Brake Light system, which warns drivers of heavily braking vehicles ahead.
In the United States, Ford provided cars equipped with V2V technology for a real-world study involving more than 3,000 vehicles, undertaken in conjunction with a consortium of auto manufacturers and the U.S. Department of Transportation. The data collected will be used to evaluate various safety applications of the technology and help enhance future V2V developments. Based in part on these results, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that they have decided to develop a future regulation which will require V2V technology on new vehicles.
Ford’s V2V demonstration in Taiwan will take place from June 3-6 at the Miramar parking lot, located at 218-8 Lequn Third Road in Taipei’s downtown Zhongshan district. Computex takes place at the TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall in Taipei from June 3-7, 2014.
