New Technologies In Ford, Chrysler And Nissan

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Ford Motor Company: Curve Control

Ford Motor Company introduced a new innovation – Curve Control – designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicles when taking a curve too quickly.

Curve Control debuts as standard equipment on the all-new 2011 Ford Explorer going into production later this year, and will be offered on 90 percent of the company's North American crossovers, sport utilities, trucks, and vans by 2015.

The technology senses when a driver is taking a curve too quickly which is a situation found to contribute to about 50,000 crashes each year in the U.S. The patent-pending system works by measuring how quickly the vehicle is turning and comparing that with how quickly the driver is trying to turn. When the vehicle is not turning as much as the driver is steering – also known as "pushing" – Curve Control activates. The system applies the precise amount of braking required on each wheel to enhance the individual wheel braking of the traditional stability control system.

"Too many accidents stem from drivers misjudging their speed going into curves and freeway off- and on-ramps," said Sue Cischke, Ford Group Vice President of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. "Ford's Curve Control technology senses a potentially dangerous situation and reduces power and applies brakes more quickly than most drivers can react on their own."

Curve Control is one of several new driver assist and safety technologies to be offered on the all-new Explorer. Other technologies include next-generation adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, state-of-the-art pressure-based airbag technology, the industry's first inflatable rear seat belts and intelligent four-wheel-drive terrain management system.

Nissan: "Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians" System

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (NML) has added the new safety technology "Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians" system to the Nissan LEAF, which officially goes on sale in December.  The enhancement will also be used in the Nissan Fuga hybrid, slated for sale in fall 2010.

The system makes it easy for those outside to hear the vehicle approaching, but the sounds do not distract the driver and passengers inside. In developing the sound system, Nissan studied behavioral research of the visually impaired and worked with cognitive and acoustic psychologists.

The system is controlled through a computer and synthesizer in the dash panel, and the sound is delivered through a speaker in the engine compartment. A switch inside the vehicle can turn off sounds temporarily. The system automatically resets to "on" at the next ignition cycle.

Chrysler Group: Smartphone Vehicle-Information Application

Chrysler Group is introducing a new application that will take information that used to be stuffed into the glove box and put it at the owner's fingertips.

The vehicle-information app for the all-new 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee will be available for download on to personal smartphones. The vehicle-information app, developed by Michigan-based Tweddle Group, is designed to support vehicles in the U.S. market and will first be available for iPhone and later for BlackBerry and Android devices on major mobile carriers.

The smartphone vehicle-information application will provide general vehicle information including vehicle operation, maintenance, and warranty, this new app offers product-feature video demonstrations, connections with fellow owners via the company's brands on social media sites, and access to customer care and 24-hour road-side assistance.  The application, which is free to the consumer, will eventually phase into future Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, and Ram Truck vehicles in the United States by the end of this year.