Magna's brilliant SmartAccess power door system features an anti-slam feature and can even be equipped with gesture control.
Canadian automotive company Magna has announced that its anti-slam door technology will be introduced on several new cars later this year.
First seen on the Ferrari Purosangue, Magna's SmartAccess power door system makes use of several key pieces of technology, including the first-to-market Haptronik motion control software. According to the company, this means the doors are able to detect when the vehicle is parked on an incline and can adapt the gravitational force to ensure the door can open and close smoothly.
Another handy feature of the SmartAccess power door is an anti-slam feature, making it difficult for careless passengers to damage your vehicle. A wind catch feature is also part of the package and will protect the hinges from howling gales.
Magna says SmartAccess can accommodate several other functions, including a keypad for keyless entry, a customizable door feel to suit individual customer tastes, and even a gesture control feature that would allow owners to open or close the doors with a simple wave of the hand.
The non-contact obstacle detection is perhaps the most sensible aspect; the side doors would be able to sense a street lamp or nearby vehicle and stop the door before any damage occurs.
"As an industry leader in advanced mechatronic systems, we are excited to bring one of our most innovative solutions to market," said Magna's Jeff Hunt. "By combining our mechanical expertise with our advanced software capabilities, we have been able to reimagine traditional vehicle access and offer a unique and more luxurious experience when entering the Purosangue."
Magna says the technology will launch on several additional North American and Asian models later this year but gave no suggestions as to what these vehicles could be.
It's unlikely that these upcoming cars will have rear-hinged doors like the Ferrari, but it's safe to assume this technology will be made available on high-end vehicles. In the new Italian SUV, this setup provides occupants with up to 79 degrees of entry and exit space.
CarBuzz recently discovered a patent that suggests Ford is working on a similar system. A series of sensors and cameras will measure several objects and determine whether the door can be opened without scraping the sidewalk or curb. Rolls-Royce is also working on technology that would prevent an occupant from opening the door into oncoming traffic.
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