Ford is testing in Germany an autonomous speed limiter operating by geolocation to adapt to the limits in force. Such a system could be fitted to production cars from July 6, 2022, the date on which Intelligent Speed Adaptation will become mandatory in Europe.
In the city of Cologne, Germany, Ford has been experimenting with an autonomous speed limiter since March. Two E-Transit electric vans are used for these tests, which will continue until March 2023. When the vehicle enters an area where the speed limit is lower than that in force until then, it is automatically slowed down by this on-board device.
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Areas defined by GPS
Ford’s system is based on geolocation. Areas are thus defined by their speed limit to automatically adapt the pace of the vehicle as it enters and exits it. A process called in English Geofencing. The American manufacturer takes as an example the many “30 zones” found in town, near schools in particular. Last April, a survey by the insurance company AXA showed that 72% of French people did not respect the limitation there.
In addition to legal limits on public roads, Ford says geofencing could be used to set and enforce speed limits in private areas, such as the loading sites of companies that use trucking. Note that the autonomous limiter can be deactivated by the driver.
Autonomous speed limiter legal from July 2022
By presenting its Geofencing, Ford is getting a little ahead of the arrival of AIV (Intelligent Speed Adaptation), which will be mandatory for all newly homologated vehicles in the European Union from July 6, 2022, then for all first registrations two years later. This device can take several forms, ranging from from a simple alert for exceeding the maximum authorized speed to an automatic reduction in speed. It can be based on the reading of the panels by camera or GPS, or even both for optimal precision.
The regulations require that the system can be deactivated or overridden, but also that it be automatically restarted each time the vehicle is started. In addition, the data relating to its use will be transmitted anonymously to the authorities for analysis with a view to possible changes in the regulations after two years.