Ford launches Intelligent Speed Limiter on new S-MAX

The new Ford S-MAX will be the first Ford with Ford’s new Intelligent Speed Limiter that automatically stops you speeding by reducing fuel.

Photo Ford S-MAX Intelligent Speed Limiter

Ford launches Intelligent Speed Limiter – Big Brother Ford stops you speeding

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We’re rapidly getting to the point where we may as well have completed autonomous cars, such is the plethora of electronic gizmos that do tasks drivers should be responsible for. And now there’s another – Ford’s Intelligent Speed Limiter.

The new Ford electronic wizard uses some existing Ford tech – Adjustable Speed Limiter and Traffic Sign Recognition – and uses them to restrict speeds to a range between 20mph and 120mph by cutting the flow of fuel to the engine. The system also communicates with the onboard Sat Nav to accurately recognise speed limits.

Our biggest concern is over-riding the system when circumstances dictate, but Ford say a hefty prod on the throttle will enable you to push through the automatic limit if you need to.

How the system will work with temporary limits we don’t know, and by disengaging the driver’s brain from monitoring speed – which this system will do – there’s every chance you’ll be caught out if the system doesn’t know about a temporary limit change, or you haven’t switched it on (you will be able to drive with it off – for now).

There’s no chance Ford will stump up for the speeding ticket you’d get as a result, and we just worry that the more tasks we take away from drivers the less competent they become. A bit like the way we’re all becoming more stupid now we have access to the world’s information online and don’t need to remember anything any more.

But it’s called progress. Or is it?