Car wing mirror that flashes red when a cyclist is approaching could stop drivers opening the door into their path
- Sensors and cameras will automatically detect nearby road users
- Red lights around the wing mirror and the door will flash when triggered
- An alert will also sound to make both driver and cyclist aware of danger
- Future version of the system could physically stop the door from opening
Ford has built an ‘exit warning’ system for cars to stop drivers and passengers swinging their doors open into the path of cyclists – an event called ‘dooring’.
A trail of flashing red lights around the wing mirror and door edge lights up to warn the vehicle occupant of an approaching cyclist.
An alarm also sounds to help prevent a collision and Ford is working on developing the system to physically stop the door swinging open.
A trail of flashing red lights around the wing mirror and door edge lights up to warn both a passing cyclist and the vehicle occupant of a potential collision
Ford has built a warning system for cars to stop drivers and passengers swinging their doors open into the path of cyclists – an event called ‘dooring’. Lights on the door and wing mirror will flash as well as an alarm sounding
Some vehicles from the US-based automobile manufacturer are already fitted with sensors to detect cyclists.
It is currently used to make drivers aware when other road users are in their blind spots.
These pre-existing technologies and scanners will be integrated with the new system.
Friederike Philipsenburg, Vehicle Architecture Engineer of Ford in Europe, said: ‘Cyclists, and increasingly e-scooter riders, face daily safety challenges on our busy roads, including avoiding car doors as they open.
‘Exit Warning is just one of the ways we are helping to make the roads better for everybody — whether they are on two wheels or four.’
Dooring is a term used to describe when a vehicle occupant opens their door and hits a passing cyclist. Ford expects to begin tests of the feature in the coming months and is part of Ford’s ‘Share The Road’ campaign
Engineers are also testing a new mechanism for the car door that momentarily prevents it from fully opening.
The vehicle occupant will be able to manually override this feature in an emergency.
Ford expects to begin tests of the feature in the coming months after early success in trials.
Ford hopes to iron out some technical pitfalls such as ensuring it works for both left and right hand drive vehicles as well as a variety of road and lane layouts.
It is part of Ford’s ‘Share The Road’ campaign which also saw it create a bizarre ’emoji jacket’ prototype that lights up with different symbols on the back to help cyclists share their mood with drivers.
Not only can the jacket display various mood symbols, but it can also present hazard warnings and indicators for when the cyclist is about to make a turn.
The jacket’s display is controlled via a wireless remote, which has been designed to attach to the wearer’s bicycle handlebars.
Ford said that this allows wearers to change what is being displayed without having to fully remove their hands from their cycle.
A bizarre ’emoji jacket’ prototype has been developed that lights up with different symbols on the back intended to help cyclists share their mood with drivers