Futurists in the recent past dreamed of flying carriages, self-propelled boats, and winged trains. However, none of these concepts has ever been realized: we travel long distances by plane, while the most efficient transport for short journeys remains the car. However, the very concept of this mode of transport is in transition. Of course, the car will not learn how to fly, but the format of its use is changing before our eyes. The car owner today has the same feelings as the owner of a smart phone. You remember how Tesla updated the firmware of its cars and implemented full-fledged autopilot. Other automakers are moving in the same direction.
We visited Ford's R&D center in Aachen, Germany, to see what features the company will offer its fans in the next couple of years.
Stronger, lighter and more environmentally friendly
With all the advanced electronics, the car is still a complex machine, which means that its design must also change to meet the demands of the times. Ford's latest initiative is the active use of the latest aluminum alloys. Today almost every car is made of composites and aluminum to some extent, but Ford seems to have decided to go all out and released a huge F-150 pickup in an all-aluminum body.
Ten years ago, the very idea of an "aluminum pickup" would have sounded ridiculous, but today the company deals with such alloys, which surpass the strength of traditional steel. However, the Ford F-150 is remarkable not only for this. Its production actively uses recycled plastic. For example, the seats are made entirely from materials obtained by recycling plastic bottles. The same approach is applied to the interior elements of passenger cars, but all innovations are implemented with great care, so as not to scare customers.
In the case of passenger cars, we are talking about the use of bioplastics, which are derived from the processing of the guyla plant (grown to produce rubber), as well as hemp and tomato skins. Ford even has an agreement with the Heinz Corporation, which recycles up to 2 million tons of tomatoes each year in ketchup production, leaving the skins as waste. They can be used to make fibers and produce small interior components such as glove box housings, rear-view mirror frames and storage compartments for various interior items.
Today's bioplastic in strength and performance characteristics is not inferior to traditional plastic, though, looks a little unpresentable - it turns out a light beige with a rough surface, so it is usually painted on top.
The use of aluminum in passenger cars can significantly reduce weight and, consequently, fuel consumption. But an even more promising material is carbon fiber, although its use in budget models of Ford cars is still limited by the high cost - aluminum is still cheaper.
Another side of "environmental friendliness" is the reduction of harmful emissions. The recent Volkswagen scandal forced automakers to reconsider their approach to research. Ford was not left out either.The company has started to measure the content of harmful substances in exhaust gases not in the laboratory, but under real-life conditions. For this purpose, several cars are driven around European and American cities with measuring equipment that analyzes the composition of exhaust gases depending on the mode of travel and individual driving style. The data, Ford believes, will allow it to more accurately estimate emissions during vehicle development.
Autopilot and safety
There is no full-fledged autopilot in Ford cars yet, now the company has focused on helping the driver in everyday situations. Traffic Jam Assist combines several existing and working Ford technologies like automatic engine silencing and starting, adaptive cruise control and automatic lane keeping.A camera on the windshield and radar hidden in the grille continuously assess the traffic situation. The car can automatically brake if the car in front is slowing down, and continue driving on its own. There is no need to switch between manual and automatic modes - you can always turn the steering wheel, change gear or press the brake.Some innovations do not impress with their high-tech, but greatly facilitate the life of the driver. When entering a T-junction in low visibility conditions, a panoramic camera on the radiator grille helps. It is located closer to the crossing road than the driver, and its 180-degree view angle allows you to see pedestrians or approaching cars in time. The camera is shown on the screen in the passenger compartment, plus it can be switched from panoramic to normal mode.The question of the viability of such a system in Russia is taken into account at the stage of implementation: the camera lens is additionally equipped with a washer nozzle and is controlled in the same way as the windshield washer.
You must be logged in to post a comment.