Automotive

Ford's new split-view camera helps drivers see around corners

Ford's new split-view camera helps drivers see around corners
Ford's new split view cameras on the front and rear bumpers help drivers see around corners when they're nosing or backing into traffic
Ford's new split view cameras on the front and rear bumpers help drivers see around corners when they're nosing or backing into traffic
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Ford plans to roll the Split View cameras out to most of its range by 2020
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Ford plans to roll the Split View cameras out to most of its range by 2020
Tri-panel split view display helps drivers instantly work out where traffic is coming from
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Tri-panel split view display helps drivers instantly work out where traffic is coming from
Ford's new split view cameras on the front and rear bumpers help drivers see around corners when they're nosing or backing into traffic
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Ford's new split view cameras on the front and rear bumpers help drivers see around corners when they're nosing or backing into traffic
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One frustrating thing about living in any neighbourhood that gets an influx of SUVs is that it gets hard to see past rows of tall cars to work out when it's safe to nose out or back out of your driveway. Ford is tackling this kind of problem with a new split-view camera mounted on the front and rear bumpers that gives drivers a 180-degree view from the bits of the car that poke into traffic first, effectively giving them the ability to see around corners.

The results are displayed in a tri-panel display that makes it very clear which side an object is coming from, like an upgraded rear view camera that can look forward as well. Split view can be accessed at the touch of a button, and it'll shut itself off automatically when the vehicle reaches 10 km/h (6.2 mph).

Tri-panel split view display helps drivers instantly work out where traffic is coming from
Tri-panel split view display helps drivers instantly work out where traffic is coming from

As the cameras will be exposed to a fair bit of road grime that could block their view, each will be looked after by a tiny telescopic jet washer that'll blast the grit off regularly.

Split View will roll out first on the 2015 Edge, followed by the 2016 explorer in the United States and China. Europe will get it on the new S-MAX and Galaxy, and something similar will be available on most Fords globally by 2020.

Source: Ford

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8 comments
8 comments
Bruce H. Anderson
As I creep into parking spaces and try to gauge how far my front bumper is from the closest solid object, I have wondered why the rear-view cameras that so many cars have today aren't duplicated at the front. Seems like a no-brainer.
S Michael
Great... now a simple bump will cost you several thousand dollars just to fix the cameras. What are these people thinking. HUA engineering.
Bob Flint
Doesn't this tell you something about those Hugh ass vehicles they created in the first place. Bigger is not always better..
Charles Barnard
I'm constantly amazed at how long it takes industry to put even the simplest ideas into production.
Catweazle
I could have just done with that on a V12 E-type Jag I drove for a bit!
It would have made pulling out of side roads far less risky!
Stephen N Russell
Lisc & produce for other car makes alone Import & US made & esp for RVs & SUVs
Charles Slavens
Making a left turn into a cramped parking space would be a lot easier if there was a camera that told me where my right front bumper is.
yawood
BMW have got these already. They are terrific.