Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled a prototype door which can automatically open as the driver approaches or be operated by gesture control.
Dubbed the mobility door prototype, Jaguar Land Rover’s new technology combines motion sensors with existing keyless entry technology to detect a driver walking towards the vehicle before automatically opening the door.
The British car manufacturer says the technology will prove especially important for disabled people that use a car as their main form of transport. Additionally, it will be useful for people carrying large items as the driver that don’t have a free hand to open the door.
Much like a Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover’s mobility door prototype can be closed from the inside with the press of an overhead button. To ensure doors don’t randomly open into the path of obstacles, such as lamp posts, radar sensors have been fitted. Users can also configure the door to close and lock as they walk away.
Of course, automatic opening doors like this aren’t a new technology. For example, Tesla owners have been enjoying similar technology for quite some time.
Nevertheless, former Royal Marine Commando and triple amputee Mark Ormrod, says the technology will be very handy for people with disabilities.
“This innovative Jaguar Land Rover technology would be such a benefit to me and has real power to change lives for those who face problems getting in and out of the car.
“Opening and closing the car door may seem like such an insignificant task to many people but sometimes it’s the small, everyday obstacles which people take for granted that are most frustrating to overcome for those living with disabilities,” Ormrod said.
Jaguar Land Rover hasn’t said when it will introduce the technology to its production vehicles.
