DEARBORN, Mich. - Ford Motor Company's latest technology concept vehicle combines advanced accident avoidance systems and intelligent vehicle technology in a modified Ford Explorer. It's called S ² RV, which stands for "Smart, Safe Research Vehicle. "

"The telematics and accident avoidance systems in the S ² RV simplify life for our customers and help keep them safe, " said Dr. Ron Miller, project leader for Intelligent Vehicle Technologies at Ford Research and Advanced Engineering. "Voice control and touch screens access the S ² RV's smart and safe features ." Miller, who holds a Ph.D. in physics from MIT, says an Explorer was picked for the technology exercise because it is America's best-selling SUV, and a popular real-world vehicle in which to test the technology.

Many of the features of S ² RV can be separated into two categories -- those that represent new "smart " technology and those new features that pertain to making the vehicle more "safe. "

Smart features are those pertaining to intelligent vehicle technology or telematics. Telematics is the blending of computers and wireless telecommunication technologies with the goal of efficiently conveying information over vast networks to improve a host of transportation and business functions or government-related public services.

The term has evolved to refer to automobile systems that combine global position satellite tracking and other wireless communications for automatic roadside assistance, remote diagnostics and other purposes.

TELEMATICS SYSTEMS - SMART

The S ² RV "Smart" technology includes:

• Voice System - controls vehicle features including reconfigurable instrument clusters, phone and accident avoidance systems.

• Reconfigurable Displays - allows the driver to choose gauges and instrument cluster presentation, including color and font sizes.

• Reconfigurable Switches - allows the movement and placement of switches and controls to where the driver or other occupants use them most. These switches also create a "plug-n-play " environment for aftermarket entertainment systems, or for assistance technologies such as a hydraulic seat.

• BluetoothT Phone - the voice and vehicle systems access the driver's Bluetooth phone for wireless, seamless, hands-free operation. "Bluetooth" is a wireless technology that connects electronic devices to each other over short distances.

• Tire Pressure Transducers - Radio signals indicate tire pressure and temperature.

• Passive Entry System - This system automatically unlocks the vehicle when the driver approaches the vehicle. Possession of the key fob is all that is necessary.

• SmartNAV -- A smart navigational system that uses vehicle-to-vehicle communication, as well as incident report information from local municipalities, the S