Ford Cameras to Improve Next Super Duty's Safety

Auto maker is pioneering multiple cameras and split-view presentation to help drivers see obstacles all around pickups and trailers

Ford's available split-view cameras help drives see traffic and obstacles that enter the vehicle's path from the side by displaying a 180-degree view of the area in front of or behind a vehicle. A tri-panel display (right) shows if an obstacle is coming from either side or straight on.
Ford's available split-view cameras help drives see traffic and obstacles that enter the vehicle's path from the side by displaying a 180-degree view of the area in front of or behind a vehicle. A tri-panel display (right) shows if an obstacle is coming from either side or straight on.
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Ford says the next Ford Super Duty will offer the company’s most advanced camera technology, helping with lane-keeping assistance and enabling customers to see more angles around a truck and trailer than ever before.

The next Super Duty will feature up to seven cameras and all-new digital architecture, making Ford an industry leader in advanced camera technology and helping drivers better maneuver alone and in tight spots.

The 2016 F-150 has up to five cameras available, the most of any vehicle in the Ford lineup. Four cameras in F-150 are mounted in the outside mirrors, and rear and front of the vehicle to enable a 360-degree view and backup view functions.

A forward-looking camera mounted behind the rearview mirror is used to activate auto high beams and lane-keeping assist, which looks for lane deviations. The driver never sees the image from this camera, but the vehicle’s computer uses the visual signal to operate the rest of the system.

Camera technology also is a key enabler in Pro Trailer Backup Assist available on the 2016 F-150, which helps a customer steer the trailer with a control knob while the truck steers its wheels.

Dynamic Hitch Assist is another F-150 feature that uses cameras. It provides a center sight line in the display that helps the driver properly line up the truck to the trailer to hitch up.

Ford didn’t offer details of how the new camera system on Super Duty trucks will improve visibility around the trucks and trailers, but new features available on 2015 Edge and 2016 Explorer models offer some insight into how the company is using multiple cameras to improve driver awareness.

The new split-view camera available on Edge and Explorer helps drivers see traffic and obstacles that enter the vehicle’s path from the side by displaying a 180-degree view of the area in front of or behind a vehicle.

Split view uses real-time video feeds from 1-megapixel wide-angle lens cameras in the grille and tailgate. A tri-panel display in the 8-inch screen helps customers understand quickly whether an obstacle is coming from either side or straight on. Split view is activated at the touch of a button and automatically shuts off when vehicle speed reaches 6.2 mph.

Front and rear split view comes standard in the United States on the 2016 Explorer Limited on sale now and Explorer Platinum, on sale soon. Front split view is coming to the all-new Ford S-MAX and Galaxy in Europe, available to order now. Split view will be offered on nearly all Ford SUVs globally by 2020.

A tiny telescopic jet washer keeps the front camera clean on every vehicle with split view. Explorer also incorporates a washer for the rear camera.

Ford plans to make rear-view cameras standard on all of its North American light passenger vehicles by 2018 – and front cameras available on a majority of its vehicles globally by volume by 2020 – meaning the company plans to put more than 2 million new cameras a year on the road.

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