2005 Mercury Meta One Concept

Also in an attempt to avoid potential accident, the Meta One's Collision Mitigation by Braking (CMbB) technology, developed

The Collision Mitigation by Braking system is able to gauge and predict whether a frontal collision is about to occur and will automatically amplify the brakes and apply the hand brake to reduce the speed of the impact. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

together with Volvo, also makes use of cameras as well as radar. Its ability to predict whether a frontal collision is about to occur, after which it will automatically add brake force as well as apply the handbrake, could also be lifesaving.

The CMbB system analyzes sensor data to determine the position and speed of the vehicle compared to static objects, as well as the position, direction and speed of surrounding vehicles. The basic belief is that if a vehicle can be slowed by even one or two km/h, passenger protection can be improved.

"A reduction of even a few mph in the speed of an impact can make a difference," said Priya Prasad, Ford Technical Fellow, Safety

Ford claims that CMbB can reduce collision speeds by up to 8 km/h (5 mph), and in some cases even more. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

Research and Development. "The amount of energy at impact is a strong function of speed, so even a slight reduction in speed offers a significant reduction in force."

Ford claims that, depending on the road conditions and vehicle speed, CMbB can reduce collision speeds by up to 8 km/h (5 mph), and in some cases even more. Currently, the safety feature is being tested in poor visibility conditions, and work is being done on the system's override feature which allows the driver to undertake evasive maneuvers while CMbB is engaged.