Ford will be including a new device on the company's latest model for the S-Max multipurpose vehicle, which will automatically prevent the car's drivers from going past speed limits.
Named the Intelligence Speed Limiter, the technology will look to prevent drivers from ever seeing the bright flashes of speed cameras that catch them driving a bit too fast.
The Intelligence Speed Limiter is capable of detecting road signs and operating speed cameras, and will respond by slowing down the vehicle to the appropriate speed. The system is able to detect the signs using a camera mounted on the vehicle's windshield, and then analyzes whether the driver is on a speed in excess of the speed limit. The driver will manually set the vehicle's maximum speed through controls on the S-Max's steering wheel.
As the system detects a higher speed limit, it will allow the vehicle to go up to the speed set by the driver, as long as the vehicle remains below the speed limit. If the system, on the other hand, detects a lower speed limit than what is set by the driver, the vehicle will be slowed down to the maximum allowable speed until the speed limit increases.
Ford states that the system, which can be viewed as a development on cruise control, could prevent drivers from being caught by police officers for going too fast or from getting speeding penalties as tagged by speed cameras.
According to Stefan Kappes, safety supervisor for Ford Europe, drivers are sometimes not aware that they are going over the speed limit as they drive, and only realize such once they are pulled over by police or receive mail about a speeding penalty.
"Intelligent Speed Limiter can remove one of the stresses of driving, helping ensure customers remain within the legal speed limit," stated Kappes.
The technology works between the speeds of 20 miles per hour and 120 miles per hour. It decreases the speed of the vehicle by reducing the fuel being supplied to the vehicle's engine, which makes deceleration smooth and not sudden.
If the vehicle is in a situation where increasing speed cannot be prevented, such as when going down a hill, the system will trigger an alarm to alert the driver to apply more braking to keep within the speed limit.
The Intelligent Speed Limiter, however, is entirely optional. The driver can override the system by stepping on the accelerator firmly.
