The 2016 models of US automotive giant General Motors (GM) will offer 22 safety technologies, covering a range including driver alerts and night vision.
All the technological advancements will be put to test by safety engineers at GM's Active Safety Test Area developed over 52 acres at its Milford Proving Ground near Detroit, recently inaugurated by the carmaker.
The facility is armed with highway simulation with six lanes, on/off ramps, controlled lighting and road signs, along with a parking test area with different curb types and landscaping detection. It also features a pedestrian test area with a 90-degree traffic intersection.
GM global vehicle safety vice-president Jeff Boyer said: "Our comprehensive safety strategy of helping customers before, during and after a crash continues... GM historically has been a leader in the development and testing of safety technologies, and applying our deep knowledge and expertise to prevent crashes from happening in the first place."
For instance, 'city speed front automatic braking' automatically triggers the brakes upon detection of an imminent colliosion, while 'front pedestrian braking' performs similar function in case of pedestrians. These are aimed at either ameliorating the severity of collision or a total prevention of it.
'Rear camera mirror' helps the driver change lanes, while 'night vision' supplies an infrared night vision beyond the headlamps and detects pedestrians or large animals.
The 'curb view camera' is capable of avoiding low-speed collisions with curbs, poles, and parked vehicles on way to parking.
GM active safety electronics and controls Cynthia Bay said: "The technologies we are developing and testing at this facility are available to our customers across our GM brands... Front Pedestrian Braking will be offered on the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, and the lowest-priced Chevrolet we offer in the U.S. - the new 2016 Spark - has available Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert."
"In addition to helping customers all over the world avoid crashes, many of the technologies we develop and test here are integral to our ongoing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications work and even the development of future autonomous vehicles."
