Not only are potholes are a nuisance, they can be expensive as well. AAA estimates that damages from potholes cost drivers in the United States nearly $3 billion. Today, Ford issued a press release announcing a new computer-controlled shock absorbing system to make potholes less jarring.
Featured in the upcoming 2017 Fusion V6 Sport, Ford's continuously controlled damping system utilizes 12 sensors that relay road information to onboard computers. When the system detects the edge of a pothole, it instantly adjusts the dampers to their stiffest settings so the tires don’t strike the other side of the hole as harshly.
Jason Michener, Ford continuously controlled damping engineering expert, gave his own description of the testing process. “We tested and tuned this system by driving over countless potholes – subjecting Fusion V6 Sport to the brutal, square-edged potholes of our Romeo Proving Grounds to finesse the software,” said “It was long hours of not very pleasant work, but the results are well worth it.”
The new Ford Fusion V6 Sport with continuously controlled damping begins arriving in dealerships across the country this summer.
The 2017 Ford Fusion V6 Sport Can Detect and Protect Against Potholes - https://t.co/DYyhbNyda3 pic.twitter.com/EfVZVV1c4H
— AutoGuide.com (@AutoGuide) February 18, 2016