Ford invents self-braking trolley to prevent supermarket collisions

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In a bid to prevent children from causing chaos as their parents do the food shop, Ford has invented a shopping trolley that is able to brake automatically when a possible collision is detected.

Ford has created the self-braking trolley prototype after experimenting with ways to improve the supermarket experience.

Drawing on its pre-collision technology used in many of its car models, the trolley is fitted with sensors to detect people and objects ahead.

It warns the driver of a presence, and if there is no response, the system automatically applies the brakes if a potential accident is detected.

Anthony Ireson, director of marketing communications at Ford of Europe, said: “Pre-Collision Assist technology can help our customers avoid accidents or mitigate the effects of being involved in a collision.

“We thought that showing how similar thinking could be applied to a shopping trolley would be a great way to highlight what can be a really useful technology for drivers.”

Parenting expert Tanish Carey said: “Parents often dread supermarket shopping because they are trying to get a job done and kids just want to play.

“Children love to copy adults and experiment with feeling more in control. When they push a trolley, to their minds, it’s like they are behind the wheels of a car – with long, wide supermarket aisles as their racetrack.”

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The new invention is part of the Ford Interventions series which applies Ford technologies to everyday problems.

However, the carmaker has no plans to make the self-braking trolley experiment available to the public.

The firm created a noise-blocking kennel prototype in 2018 to protect dogs from the distressing sounds of fireworks using a similar technology to that found in headphones and cars.

Earlier this year, it invented a smart bed prototype that uses conveyor belt technology to keep “space invaders” on their side, dubbed the lane-keeping bed.

It was created by adapting technology used to ensure drivers remain in the middle of their lane.

 

 

Samson Oyedeyi