Ford Co-Pilot 360 is a portfolio of driver assistance systems designed to make it more convenient to drive an electric or gasoline Ford. Like the technologies offered by other automakers, Co-Pilot 360 prioritizes drivers' safety while improving their experience behind the wheel. Driver safety technology is one of the key features of today's vehicles, with people looking to reduce the chances of collision. Currently, most vehicles come with advanced driver assistance systems which offer Level 2 of autonomy. However, drivers are still required to monitor the car while the system is active. For now, only Mercedes-Benz's Drive Pilot can provide drivers with Level 3 of autonomy.
Drivers and government agencies have scrutinized the safety of driver assistance systems following reports of collisions while in use. Tesla EVs have been involved in numerous crashes, with some claiming people's lives. A recent study showed that many drivers believe that their semi-autonomous driving systems are capable of making critical road decisions independently. This is not true, as automakers always announce that while drivers will experience partial autonomy, they shouldn't doze off or focus on handheld devices. Unfortunately, not many people seem to be getting that message.
Ford's Co-Pilot 360 is built for the modern driver who's always trying to navigate traffic without crashing into another road user. It's available in 21 Ford models, including electric models — the Mustang Mach-E SUV and F-150 Lightning pickup. However, the features vary among models. Some include Active Park Assist 2.0, Auto High-Beam Headlamps, Blue Cruise and more. Blue Cruise is perhaps the most popular Co-Pilot 360 feature because it combines adaptive cruise control, lane centering and speed sign recognition to improve drivers' safety and experience. It's also programmed to handle driving on select roads called Hands-Free Blue Zones. Another automaker offering something similar to this is General Motors with Super Cruise.
Co-Pilot Technology Features, Explained
Active Park Assist 2.0 is programmed to make parking a Ford easy and safe, even in tight spots. Once initiated, it'll locate a comfortable position. At that moment, drivers will hit the brakes and switch to Neutral. After this, holding the Active Park Assist button engages the system, which intelligently handles the rest. Sometimes, drivers forget to turn off their headlamps after using them on dark roads. With Auto High-Beam Headlamps, the Ford will turn on the lights when it detects that it's approaching a poorly lit area. Likewise, when it senses an oncoming vehicle, it'll turn off the lights to avoid dazzling other road users.
Also included in the Co-Pilot 360 package is a front 180-degree-camera that helps drivers to enter and exit tight spaces thanks to its ability to get multiple angles at once. The Collision Warning with Brake feature alerts Ford owners once it detects a likely collision. The alert is a blend of red lights that flash and an alarm. If the driver doesn't act, the system will pre-charge the brakes to give them a harder feel once the driver uses them.
Source: Ford
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