Heavy Duty trucks->ke242 can be a challenge to drive in tight confines, so to help reduce the inherent risks, Ford->ke31 has announced it will include its Split View camera system on the next generation Super Duty. The system includes a whopping seven separate cameras that face nearly every direct around the truck, with each feeding live video into the trucks infotainment system.

The Split View camera system is already in place in the 2015 Ford Edge and 2016 Explorer, but will soon make its appearance in many more Ford products. The system works by offering the driver an unprecedented 180-degree view of the areas in front of and behind the vehicle. Such a feature allows the driver to view oncoming traffic from around a corner or from around a line of parked cars.

The main front-facing camera gets a small telescopic washer jet that keeps dirt and bugs off the lens. Some vehicles will also include a rear washer system, though Ford hasn’t announced if the Super Duty will get the extra feature. Each camera offers a 1-megapixel, wide-angle view and is sealed against the elements in a watertight casing.

The system will work at speeds up to six mph and can be activated by a button. What’s more, the next-generation Super Duty will come with Lane Keeping Assist that also utilizes the camera system. The Super Duty, anticipated for the 2017 model year, is also expected to get Pro Trailer Backup Assist, a feature recently introduced for the 2016 model year F-150.->ke423

Pro Trailer allows the driver to steer the truck in reverse when connected to a trailer by turning a dash-mounted knob. The knob is turned in the same direction that the driver wants the trailer to go, eliminating the counterintuitive steering movements needed to back a trailer.

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Why it matters

Safety systems are growing in both prevalence and functionality as we head into the future. These types of systems will not only help reduce traffic accidents, but also lead automakers toward building the self-driving car. While I’m a big advocate of driving fun, the ability to have cars self-guide themselves to destinations without getting angry, tired, or drunk will certainly cut down on traffic fatalities.

In the mean time, it will be much easier to pilot the next-generation Super Duty around tight sections of town.

2015 Ford Super Duty

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