 Kooperative Mobilität im digitalen Testfeld Düsseldorf project, would notify drivers of an accident on the road ahead and provide them with […] "'Pin It")
Ford Developing Technology to Create Emergency Corridors in Event of Accident
Ford is partnering with Vodafone to develop a new connected vehicle technology that it believes could save lives. The eCall Plus system, which is being tested as part of the $17 million (€15 million) Kooperative Mobilität im digitalen Testfeld Düsseldorf project, would notify drivers of an accident on the road ahead and provide them with instructions for getting out of the way of emergency services vehicles.
“Connected and automated driving are key technologies of the future. Ford has a long history of developing and testing vehicle to traffic infrastructure and vehicle to vehicle communications that can contribute to greater road safety and efficiency across the world,” said Gunnar Herrmann, CEO, Ford of Germany. “Together with Vodafone and in cooperation with the other companies involved, we will gain decisive insights on the Düsseldorf testing grounds to further advance the networking of vehicles.”
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The technology builds on eCall, a feature offered with the all-new Ford Focus that automatically notifies emergency services in the event of an accident and allows occupants to send out a call by pressing an SOS button located within the vehicle. The idea behind eCall Plus is notifying drivers within a third of a mile of an accident and showing them where to pull off in order to create an “emergency corridor” for ambulances, firetrucks, and police vehicles.
Ford is also testing an Emergency Vehicle Warning system as part of KoMoD that will send a signal from emergency vehicles to nearby drivers to let them know where they are in relation to an accident and how long it will take them to arrive.
“The digital revolution is bringing new forms of mobility which may help save lives on our roads,” said Hannes Ametsreiter, CEO, Vodafone Germany. “When cars communicate with each other, our rescue teams get a clear path forwards, so they can provide the right help at the right time, in situations when every second counts.”
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