Ford is testing new technology to help vehicles navigate through crowded city streets.

The technology trials, scheduled for February, will include “Left Turn Assist” and “Flash Control Assist.” Ford will conduct the trials at the Shanghai International Motor City, a city-run facility, giving the manufacturer the opportunity to experience, research, and develop selected features for its new vehicle models.

With over 280 million car users, China has become the world's largest automotive market, but at the same time, the country faces increasingly severe traffic congestion across the nation. According to data from the Shanghai Road Safety Research Center, 89% of accidents in China occur at intersections, reflecting a growing demand for collision avoidance technologies and features that reduce driver stress.

“When we ask ourselves what will reduce driver stress behind the wheel, we’re constantly exploring new features that make driving easier and safer,” said Trevor Worthington, Vice President of Product Development for Ford Asia Pacific. “The Shanghai International Motor City will be where we can develop, test, and refine future vehicle connectivity technologies. We will continue to overcome the challenges that most vehicles on the road face when they are not connected. We look forward to creating more products to help our customers have better driving experiences in China.”

"Left Turn Assist" technology uses information exchanged between vehicles to inform drivers about traffic conditions ahead when turning left. This technology also helps avoid collisions in cases where the driver's visibility is obstructed. The "Speed ​​Assist" feature connects vehicles to the transportation infrastructure, providing data on traffic safety signals and indicating optimal speed limits to save fuel and manage traffic conditions.

The Thanh