News Archive
The Auto-Pilot Car - The Car Of The Future
March 6, 2012
Ford boss, Bill Ford Jr has predicted that motorists will no longer need to drive for themselves in the future with the rise of the "autonomous car".
At the 2012 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona earlier this week Mr Ford stated that computerised cars could be on the road as early as 2017 with in-built functions to help roads cope with a rise in car numbers from 1 billion - 4 billion by 2050.
These "cars of tomorrow" will actually be able to communicate with one another to make the most efficient use of the road and warn drivers of accidents ahead – potentially reducing car insurance claims. In addition to this it's believed they will even be able to perform valet parking.
Commenting on his plan Mr Ford said:
"I’m confident that we will see many of these advances on the road in this midterm period (between 2017 and 2025) because the early versions are already being designed, and in most cases, tested."
Bill Ford Jr has split his vision into three phases:
1. Within 7 years cars will have car-to-car warning systems and functions for autopilot driving in slow moving traffic.
2. Semi-autonomous driving and increase interaction between cars to come into play between 2017 - 2025.
3. Beyond 2025 cars are expected to become fully autonomous.
Ford is expected to unveil its new B-Max car at next week's Geneva motor show. This vehicle has new technology that alerts the emergency services in the result of an accident.
With the emergence of this technology the price of car insurance for motorists could be significantly reduced.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufacturers/ford/9110285/Ford-boss-autopilot-cars-could-be-on-the-road-in-a-decade.html