The company has developed a car door that opens automatically when the driver approaches the vehicle. Mark Ormrod testing out Jaguar Line Rover's new car door prototype. (Credit: Jaguar Land Rover)
Jaguar Land Rover has created a car door that opens automatically whenever the driver gets in close proximity with the vehicle. Motion sensors and keyless entry technology are the main features being used on the prototype to detect the driver's presence. The car door can also be operated with hand gestures.
An occupant can close the door once they're inside the vehicle by pushing an overhead button just as they would in a new Rolls Royce. This type of technology is more suited for those with a disability who often use vehicles as their main method of transportation. The infotainment systems in the vehicle lets the driver know which doors are still open and lets them operate all five doors that need to be closed. The doors can also be programmed as the driver walks away from the doors. This allows the door to be closed and locked with a key fob in their possession.
There are also radar sensors on the driver's door to detect lamp posts, objects or any obstacles to prevent it from opening and bumping into their path.
Jaguar Land Rover is testing the prototype on a modified Range Rover Sport with gold-medal winning Invictus athlete and ex-Marine Commando, Mark Ormrod.
The companies research engineers spent six months developing the system on a laboratory rig before putting it to test on a Range Rover sport. The technology is also relevant to future vehicles as well as helping disabled people.
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