VIDEO: Ford Simulator gives real-life driving data without the danger
Hit the jump to view more high res images of Ford's VIRTTEX simulator
Ford already boasts has the most five-star crash rated cars and trucks of any automaker, and now the automaker is looking to take the next step by avoiding crashes all together. Technologies like adaptive cruise control, blind spot detectors, and traffic alert will help prevent collisions from ever happening, but testing these technologies can be dangerous. For that reason, Ford uses a simulator to present real-life driving conditions to real drivers without any risk of accident or injury.
Ford's Virtual Test Track Experiment, or VIRTTEX, is a very realistic simulator that gives advanced technology researchers real driving data to help refine safety technology. The large spherical bubble houses a full-size Taurus-X that is loaded with computers and cameras. The driver is surrounded by video screens and five projectors that show front, side and rear views, making the test driver feel like they're driving a real car. Massive hydraulic lifts can move VIRTTEX up, down, and side to side by up to 12 feet to aid in the sensation of real driving. VIRTTEX can also simulating braking, lane changes, and even crashes. We took a spin in VIRTTEX to test Ford's Forward Collision Warning system, which displays a series of red lights on the dashboard and a loud warning whenever its radar senses a potential accident. Ford is using the simulator to amass data on driver reactions, test different warning sounds, and refine the visual cues of the system. Hit the jump to see how we did in VIRTTEX, and then check out Ford's short video as well.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Torrent 12:05PM (7/11/2008)
I want to try that. Can the graphics get anymore fake,though?.
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baffledu2 12:16PM (7/11/2008)
Good old Ford ... you know that car company that builds junk and is so far behind the times with their technology. How can any company in any industry be percieved by the consumer 180 degrees from reality?
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C.W. 2:12PM (7/11/2008)
comments like these are just funny... and extremely narrow. Ford has more 5 star crash test ratings than any company, 93% of their products are Average or better according to consumer reports (which is the highest of any company fyi), pioneers of technology from roll-fold airbags, stability control, frame architechture, etc. the list goes on and on. granted their products need the excitement and life put back in them, but Ford is far from junk (quality rankings speak for themselves) and far from lacking in technology.
EVan 2:20PM (7/11/2008)
I hope that's sarcasm because when it comes to technology Ford is one of the global poineers. Until just recently Ford massively outspent every other company globally in R&D.
Starnerf 2:41PM (7/11/2008)
Did you guys read the last sentence? He was being sarcastic.
Torrent 3:49PM (7/11/2008)
Dude you really need to shut up. How did you learn to type with that mentality?
Jim 7:33PM (7/14/2008)
This is 20 year old stuff. If you want to check out a real simulator go to Iowa City.
http://www.nads-sc.uiowa.edu/
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radhoo 12:46PM (7/11/2008)
I wold like to try that simulator too. And also I would like that system to be integrated in more cars not just ford. It's useful.
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Sorin 12:28PM (7/11/2008)
Wow…awesome. Definitely I want to try something like this. I like it very much. But I want to see some traffic accidents too. Of course not on the streets.
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Pacman 12:30PM (7/11/2008)
Pretty cool.
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Bungle 1:44PM (7/11/2008)
Can it simulate rocks going up in the a--hole of Tiimo?
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Gerald 9:25AM (7/12/2008)
Yep. That would make me puke.
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