A warning that help drivers from “dooring” cyclists
If you are a cyclist or motorcyclist, it is quite possible that you have had one of those seriously scary experiences when a driver of a passenger car opened his/her door without checking whether it is safe to do so, leaving you with no alternative than either crashing into the door or having to execute an emergency avoidance move.
The latter can often result in you crashing anyway.
Ford has now developed a technology that could make these situations a thing of the past.
Exit Warning provides visual and audible alerts to road users and vehicle occupants when it detects that opening the door of a parked car might cause a collision. It could also prevent a door from opening into someone’s path.
How does it work?
Exit Warning analyses and understands the movements of approaching road users – whether they are riding a bicycle or a motorbike – on both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle.
If the system detects that opening the door could cause a collision, an alarm sounds to warn the driver or passenger. Bright red LEDs on the wing mirror begin to flash as a visual warning for cyclists and a strip of red LEDs along the inner trim of the door – that becomes visible when it is opened – provides further warning for passing road users.
Engineers are also testing a new mechanism for the car door that momentarily prevents it from fully opening until the Exit Warning system determines that the passing road user is safely clear of the vehicle. The vehicle occupant will be able to manually override this feature in an emergency.
Share the Road campaign
Ford’s Share the Road campaign seeks to foster harmony between road users, enabling more people to cycle safely, especially for short journeys.
And then there is the Emoji Jacket – a one-of-a-kind wearable that features a brightly lit LED mesh panel to display emojis, indicators and the hazard warning symbol. The prototype jacket enables cyclists to easily and clearly signal their intent – and their feelings – to drivers and other road users.
It gets even better. Ford said, “Our award-winning virtual reality experience, WheelSwap, enables motorists and cyclists to see how inconsiderate driving and riding can be hair-raising at the least – and potentially fatal – for their fellow road users. Initial studies show that after undergoing the experience, nearly all participants said they would change their behaviour.”
Source: QuickPic
