Ford is making its surveillance mode tech available to its competitors
Ford Motors has announced that it will be making its multi-patent-pending surveillance mode technology available to other vehicle manufacturers, as well as for military use. The award-winning surveillance mode, which is available on the Ford Police Interceptor, was developed to warn police officers when something unexpected approaches from behind the vehicle.
Ford worked alongside InterMotive to develop, manufacture, and provide the surveillance mode technology for use on the 2014 edition of the Ford Police Interceptor. The decision to make it available to other vehicle manufacturers will expand the adoption of the technology to help protect police officers and military personnel across the globe.
California-based InterMotive is known for providing various, innovative vehicle control systems for use in law enforcement, as well as for other applications. The surveillance mode technology uses a rearview camera and a radar to detect when a person is approaching the vehicle from behind and then automatically alerts the passengers, rolls up the driver’s side window, locks all of the doors, and flashes the exterior lights.
This technology could prove incredibly useful to police officers, especially those who work in dangerous areas. Many police officers write reports, monitor their in-vehicle computer or radar, and perform various other tasks while sitting in their vehicles, and therefore are not always fully aware of their surroundings. When the surveillance mode is activate, it grants the officers inside the vehicle and extra pair of eyes, and provides additional situational awareness.
“We want to assist with and improve the security of all police officers – whether they are using a Ford Police Interceptor or a competitive vehicle,” said Randy Freiburger, Ford police and ambulance special vehicle engineering supervisor. “Combining existing Ford technologies with the development of a new control module and software has created an innovative system that improves security for police officers while they are in their vehicles.”
Read more about the story at Autoblog.
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