Ford is testing two new technologies in Europe, one that allows a car to park itself without a driver, and another that turns the steering wheel to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
Testing is being conducted in Belgium, and the automaker said there are no current plans to market either technology in the U.S. If both are successful in Europe however, it could be only a matter of time before each reaches the U.S.
Ford's Full Assisted Parking Aid allows a driver to get out of the vehicle, push a button, and watch the vehicle park itself, according to USA Today.
The automaker already has vehicle's that can parallel park, but it requires a driver to sit behind the wheel and keep a foot on the brake pedal as it parks.
"Parking in today's cities can be stressful and difficult," said Barb Samardzich, a Ford of Europe vice president, in a press statement. "We want to make it as easy, efficient and accurate as possible."
Vehicles capable of detecting pedestrians are becoming more common by the minute, but Ford's system is different because it can steer the vehicle out of the way, avoiding a potentially fatal crash.
The automaker's Obstacle Avoidance technology issues a warning first if it detects "slow-moving objects, stationary obstacles, or pedestrians" in the same lane, according to USA Today.
If a driver doesn't respond to the warning by braking or steering out of the way, the system is set up to steer and brake to avoid a crash.
Three radars, a camera, and ultrasonic sensors are used to scan the road ahead, according to Ford.
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