U.S. car manufacturer Ford has designed an electronic control system that scans for objects in the vicinity of a pickup trailer. The Ford Ranger line will be the first to take advantage of the innovative option.
The electronic assistance feature is based on two ultrasonic sensors built into the rear lights of the car itself. The sensors scan for surrounding objects along the entire perimeter of the trailer, including the sides. If a car enters the range, a warning beacon appears on the dashboard.
The system even works without a trailer attached. Whenever a vehicle appears in the blind zone, an indicator lights up on a side mirror.
In an earlier story, we told about a new suspension design the company developed for its F-150 Raptor pickup. Each suspension strut can be adjusted for more or less damping on an individual basis. The system can also prevent bottom collisions with the ground when the front wheels lose their grip of the surface.
Photo: Ford