Ford unveiled its latest developments under the banner of Ford Smart Mobility plan. The plan will integrate connectivity, mobility, user experience, data, analytics, etc. and take everything to a much higher level. Some techs flaunted by Ford are discussed below.
Awesome eBike
Brilliant! This is the only way to describe this bike and the idea behind it. The MoDe:Me e-bike is simply awesome and was pulling crowd towards it during the 2016 CES. It is a foldable bike that can easily fit in a vehicle. People can park the car away from the main city traffic and travel the busy areas of the city using this bike via the sidewalk, in between cars, or via the bike lane.
Commuters can even take this bike on public transportation (not very appealing to many Americans but in some cases this is practical) to the city and then travel within the city on the bike! This helps in reducing pollution caused by cars within the city as well as helps in reducing instances of traffic congestion in the city.
FordPass + SYNC Connect = Remote Access
Here’s an interesting notion. How about you start your car right from your breakfast table! Then simply walk to the car, get in and start driving. Yes. It’s now possible. FordPass lets you control your car right from your smartphone and that too from a distance!
It also lets you do the obvious locking and unlocking of the door. FordPass gives you access to your car through the SYNC Connect. More interesting is that it also lets you start your car at a specified time! On its own! That is pretty extreme though – who wants to waste gas like that and risk wearing down the engine? It is very useful for getting your vehicle status like battery, oil level, fuel level, tire pressure, vehicle location, etc.
Autonomous Ford Fusion Hybrid
Ford Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle is one of the most ambitious projects of Ford. Testing of the prototypes is nothing but Ford flaunting its accomplishments. It has integrated all the available Ford driver assisting technologies in this autonomous vehicle. This is topped by the top notch LiDAR sensors from Velodyne. These have a long range of about 200m and create a real time 3D map of the surrounding environment! The car also features front cameras, radar, and high quality ultrasonic sensors.
App for AAA/CAA Members
With the SYNC AppLink, users will have a phenomenal experience while using the apps from their smartphones. The drivers will be able to operate the apps with their voice. Also there is an app for US AAA members and Canadian CAA members to locate fuel stations compare fuel prices, etc. All this is done by the vehicle GPS. The driver can use Here2there route planner to chart the course and know about the traffic while on the move.
3 in 1: Apple CarPlay + Android Auto + SYNC 3
SYNC 3 enabled vehicles are in for a ride in the 2016. They will be provided a variety of choices to access their smartphone in the car. iPhone users now can have a blast through Apple CarPlay! Connecting the iPhone through it, the users can then access maps, music, messages, phone, etc. through touchscreen or Siri (voice control).
Android users too get a special treatment with the Android Auto! This will let them connect and access Google voice search, Google Play Music, Google Maps, etc. All this through the touchscreen or the controls on the steering wheel! Even so though, make sure you pay attention to the driving aspect too.
