ford's smart bed rolls selfish sleepers back to their own side

ford has invented a smart bed prototype that uses conveyer belt technology to keep ‘space invaders’ on their side. dubbed the lane-keeping bed, the car maker has adapted its lane-centering assist technology used to ensure drivers remain in the middle of their lane.

images courtesy of ford europe

the lane-keeping bed is the solution to co-sleeping problems, ensuring couples can do what they like to do in bed – sleep. it uses pressure sensors that detect when a person moves from one side of the bed to the other, and gently rolls them back to their side with the help of an integrated conveyor belt.

available in most ford vehicles, lane-keeping aid monitors the road markings ahead and actively supports the driver to safely guide the vehicle back into the correct lane. it works by ‘nudging’ the steering wheel in the correct direction; complementing other camera‑based systems that help drivers avoid inadvertently straying out of their lane.

the lane-keeping bed was created as part of ‘ford interventions’, an exploratory project of the company’s technology aimed at tackling everyday problems. other examples include the sound-cancelling dog kennel and the smart crib. like the other, the lane-keeping bed remains prototype, meaning there are not any current plans to put it to market.