Ford debuts new curve control technology
06-29-2010, 06:01 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Ford debuts new curve control technology
Last Updated: June 29. 2010 3:02PM
Ford debuts new curve control technology
Sensors help slow vehicle rounding a turn too rapidly
Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News
Dearborn -- For anyone who has experienced that moment of panic from rounding an exit ramp too quickly, Ford Motor Co. is offering a safety solution.
The 2011 Ford Explorer -- due later this year -- has an upgraded electronic stability control system to better hug the road if a driver takes a curve too quickly. Ford demonstrated its curve control technology Monday.
The technology, in development for 18 months, builds on the current stability control system, using the same sensors to monitor how much the driver wants to turn, versus how much the vehicle is actually turning. If the input data determines the driver won't make the turn safely, it can slow the vehicle 10 miles per hour in a second, by cutting engine torque and applying the brakes.
In the first demonstration, with stability control but no curve control, an Explorer taking a curve at 50 mph wiped out orange cones as the rear end skidded out. Test driver and engineer Dave Messih said in real life, the car would have been on the shoulder -- a mistake that can result in a rollover. In the second demonstration, with curve technology engaged, Messih took the corner at the same speed and again kept his foot off the brake. The corrective technology braked and snapped the rear into place, executing the turn seamlessly. The sensation was dramatic but not jarring.
"We all like to think we're professional drivers and don't need this," said analyst Erich Merkle, president of Autoconomy in Grand Rapids. "Even good drivers in unfamiliar territory or in severe weather could benefit from this," he said. "Putting it in a family vehicle makes sense."
Taking a curve quickly contributes to 50,000 crashes a year in the United States, said Paul Mascarenas, vice president of global product engineering.
Ford's curve control will be standard on the Explorer and will be added to 90 percent of Ford's light trucks and crossovers by 2015. Eventually, it will find its way to cars, but because their lower center of gravity makes them less likely to roll over, trucks are the initial priority, said Sue Cischke, group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering.
Ford's system is unique, said Ali Jammoul, chief chassis engineer. There is little incremental cost; it was developed as part of continuous improvement of stability control and no additional hardware is required.
For 2011, the Explorer switches to a car-based vehicle. Curve control is one of a raft of safety features including inflatable rear seat belts, adaptive cruise control and blind spot and cross-traffic alerts.
In 2001, problems with Firestone tires contributed to a number of Explorer rollovers that led to regulations mandating stability control. For the new Explorer, "Ford is going way overboard on safety features," Merkle said.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz0sHXqhyRO
Ford debuts new curve control technology
Sensors help slow vehicle rounding a turn too rapidly
Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News
Dearborn -- For anyone who has experienced that moment of panic from rounding an exit ramp too quickly, Ford Motor Co. is offering a safety solution.
The 2011 Ford Explorer -- due later this year -- has an upgraded electronic stability control system to better hug the road if a driver takes a curve too quickly. Ford demonstrated its curve control technology Monday.
The technology, in development for 18 months, builds on the current stability control system, using the same sensors to monitor how much the driver wants to turn, versus how much the vehicle is actually turning. If the input data determines the driver won't make the turn safely, it can slow the vehicle 10 miles per hour in a second, by cutting engine torque and applying the brakes.
In the first demonstration, with stability control but no curve control, an Explorer taking a curve at 50 mph wiped out orange cones as the rear end skidded out. Test driver and engineer Dave Messih said in real life, the car would have been on the shoulder -- a mistake that can result in a rollover. In the second demonstration, with curve technology engaged, Messih took the corner at the same speed and again kept his foot off the brake. The corrective technology braked and snapped the rear into place, executing the turn seamlessly. The sensation was dramatic but not jarring.
"We all like to think we're professional drivers and don't need this," said analyst Erich Merkle, president of Autoconomy in Grand Rapids. "Even good drivers in unfamiliar territory or in severe weather could benefit from this," he said. "Putting it in a family vehicle makes sense."
Taking a curve quickly contributes to 50,000 crashes a year in the United States, said Paul Mascarenas, vice president of global product engineering.
Ford's curve control will be standard on the Explorer and will be added to 90 percent of Ford's light trucks and crossovers by 2015. Eventually, it will find its way to cars, but because their lower center of gravity makes them less likely to roll over, trucks are the initial priority, said Sue Cischke, group vice president of sustainability, environment and safety engineering.
Ford's system is unique, said Ali Jammoul, chief chassis engineer. There is little incremental cost; it was developed as part of continuous improvement of stability control and no additional hardware is required.
For 2011, the Explorer switches to a car-based vehicle. Curve control is one of a raft of safety features including inflatable rear seat belts, adaptive cruise control and blind spot and cross-traffic alerts.
In 2001, problems with Firestone tires contributed to a number of Explorer rollovers that led to regulations mandating stability control. For the new Explorer, "Ford is going way overboard on safety features," Merkle said.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...#ixzz0sHXqhyRO
06-29-2010, 06:39 PM
#4
Former Vendor
What if the ditch is the better place to be
More junk to drive the cost of a truck higher, repair and problems with the system will make it a hard sale.
Randy
More junk to drive the cost of a truck higher, repair and problems with the system will make it a hard sale. Randy
06-29-2010, 07:11 PM
#6
Team Owner
Thread Starter
06-30-2010, 12:23 AM
#10
Former Vendor
[QUOTE=John Shiels;1574547229]Last Updated: June 29. 2010 3:02PM
Ford debuts new curve control technology
Sensors help slow vehicle rounding a turn too rapidly
Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News
Dearborn -- For anyone who has experienced that moment of panic from rounding an exit ramp too quickly, Ford Motor Co. is offering a safety solution.
The 2011 Ford Explorer -- due later this year -- has an upgraded electronic stability control system to better hug the road if a driver takes a curve too quickly. Ford demonstrated its curve control technology Monday.
The technology, in development for 18 months, builds on the current stability control system, using the same sensors to monitor how much the driver wants to turn, versus how much the vehicle is actually turning. If the input data determines the driver won't make the turn safely, it can slow the vehicle 10 miles per hour in a second, by cutting engine torque and applying the brakes.
NO thank you at all. What is this setup going to do in the snow, ice, sand or mud??? Nevermind they have a switch that you can control the conditions. Adding something to a car that changes without the driver is a bad idea in my eyes.
Maybe 
Safe cars are good!
[QUOTE]Taking a curve quickly contributes to 50,000 crashes a year in the United States, said Paul Mascarenas, vice president of global product engineering.
[QUOTE]
Hence the reason for the twin turbo 3.5 with 350 foot pounds of torque at 1500 rpm.
Driver training would solve many of these crashes.
This is good!
I cant wait to share the road with someone that thinks it's ok to drive using sensors. People get used to things too quickly, and forget to look.
The true reason for these upgrades. Low tire pressure on a heavy truck, speeding across the hot interstate equals this........
[QUOTE]
Ford debuts new curve control technology
Sensors help slow vehicle rounding a turn too rapidly
Alisa Priddle / The Detroit News
Dearborn -- For anyone who has experienced that moment of panic from rounding an exit ramp too quickly, Ford Motor Co. is offering a safety solution.
The 2011 Ford Explorer -- due later this year -- has an upgraded electronic stability control system to better hug the road if a driver takes a curve too quickly. Ford demonstrated its curve control technology Monday.
The technology, in development for 18 months, builds on the current stability control system, using the same sensors to monitor how much the driver wants to turn, versus how much the vehicle is actually turning. If the input data determines the driver won't make the turn safely, it can slow the vehicle 10 miles per hour in a second, by cutting engine torque and applying the brakes.
The corrective technology braked and snapped the rear into place, executing the turn seamlessly. The sensation was dramatic but not jarring.
"We all like to think we're professional drivers and don't need this," said analyst Erich Merkle, president of Autoconomy in Grand Rapids. "Even good drivers in unfamiliar territory or in severe weather could benefit from this," he said. "Putting it in a family vehicle makes sense."
Safe cars are good![QUOTE]Taking a curve quickly contributes to 50,000 crashes a year in the United States, said Paul Mascarenas, vice president of global product engineering.
[QUOTE]
Hence the reason for the twin turbo 3.5 with 350 foot pounds of torque at 1500 rpm.
Driver training would solve many of these crashes.
Ford's system is unique, said Ali Jammoul, chief chassis engineer. There is little incremental cost; it was developed as part of continuous improvement of stability control and no additional hardware is required.
For 2011, the Explorer switches to a car-based vehicle. Curve control is one of a raft of safety features including inflatable rear seat belts, adaptive cruise control and blind spot and cross-traffic alerts.
In 2001, problems with Firestone tires contributed to a number of Explorer rollovers that led to regulations mandating stability control. For the new Explorer, "Ford is going way overboard on safety features," Merkle said.
[QUOTE]
06-30-2010, 01:30 AM
#11
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: San Mateo CA
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This is simply an evolution of AH and is very welcome IMHO.
Last edited by mousecatcher; 06-30-2010 at 01:32 AM.
06-30-2010, 02:40 PM
#12
Former Vendor
Like ABS, EBD, traction control, "active" suspension (Porsche PDCC for example), dynamic AWD/FWD torque distribution, electronic variable diffs, radar-enhanced cruise control, lane drift feedback, trailer sway control, headlights that "turn" the corner, etc?
This is simply an evolution of AH and is very welcome IMHO.
This is simply an evolution of AH and is very welcome IMHO.
Did you know that some of the fords, had the sometimes work ABS. Brand new pads, full of fluid. After the pads wear down the fluid level drops to the point to the sensor to make the ABS not work anymore. The first time you will see this is in a panic stop and the fluid washes up the side of the master.
Cars are becoming small space ships
Just to get to work and back
Randy
PS I hope their rear wheel bearings are still crap. My friends wife has wrote me many of checks
06-30-2010, 03:00 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Sep 2006
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06-30-2010, 04:20 PM
#15
Team Owner
Thread Starter
The best will be when the brakes do on if you tailgate
Last edited by John Shiels; 06-30-2010 at 04:23 PM.
06-30-2010, 04:22 PM
#16
Team Owner
Thread Starter
All those things look good on paper. But in real life they are causing major repair bills, giving people false feedback, adding to the cost of the car or truck, there one minute gone the next. All this stuff may work great in CA, how well is that speed sensor going to work with 12 pounds of hard pack snow on it?
Did you know that some of the fords, had the sometimes work ABS. Brand new pads, full of fluid. After the pads wear down the fluid level drops to the point to the sensor to make the ABS not work anymore. The first time you will see this is in a panic stop and the fluid washes up the side of the master.
Cars are becoming small space ships Just to get to work and back
Randy
PS I hope their rear wheel bearings are still crap. My friends wife has wrote me many of checks
Did you know that some of the fords, had the sometimes work ABS. Brand new pads, full of fluid. After the pads wear down the fluid level drops to the point to the sensor to make the ABS not work anymore. The first time you will see this is in a panic stop and the fluid washes up the side of the master.
Cars are becoming small space ships
Just to get to work and backRandy
PS I hope their rear wheel bearings are still crap. My friends wife has wrote me many of checks
the sensor is in the master?
06-30-2010, 05:52 PM
#18
Safety Car
We have a small sampling of comments here, mostly from guys who pay attention and can handle their cars in a crisis situation. We're not the target audience for this technology.
What do you think your Grandmother does when her vehicle oversteers? Trust me, she doesn't countersteer and apply throttle. She takes her hands off the wheel. These systems are GOOD. They work. They compensate for temperature. They compensate for snow on the ground and different weights, load conditions, etc. There's a test called the "refridgerator test" which simulates taking a fridge home in your trunk. They thought of these things.
Did they think of everything? Of course not. I know how to fool an ESC system if I really want to. But why in the hell would I ever want to? Better driver training is a nice idea, go ahead and fund the resources necessary to implement these programs. I'ill even pony up $20 to the cause. But since we all know that isn't going to happen we will continue to make cars safer. We will focus on accident avoidance and crash mitigation. And nobody on the Corvette Forum's RR and Auto-x section will check the box for that option, but every other person who buys that car will.
Trust me, your Grandma and your high school aged kid are better off with this system.
What do you think your Grandmother does when her vehicle oversteers? Trust me, she doesn't countersteer and apply throttle. She takes her hands off the wheel. These systems are GOOD. They work. They compensate for temperature. They compensate for snow on the ground and different weights, load conditions, etc. There's a test called the "refridgerator test" which simulates taking a fridge home in your trunk. They thought of these things.
Did they think of everything? Of course not. I know how to fool an ESC system if I really want to. But why in the hell would I ever want to? Better driver training is a nice idea, go ahead and fund the resources necessary to implement these programs. I'ill even pony up $20 to the cause. But since we all know that isn't going to happen we will continue to make cars safer. We will focus on accident avoidance and crash mitigation. And nobody on the Corvette Forum's RR and Auto-x section will check the box for that option, but every other person who buys that car will.
Trust me, your Grandma and your high school aged kid are better off with this system.
