Ford is looking
to downsize from four-wheels to two with its own version of the electric
bicycle.
Ford's Hands on
Mobility project is experimenting with the production of electronic bicycles,
studying how the products will interact with cars, buses and other forms of
transportation.
These tests are an
effort to increase transportation efficiency for the busy commuter. It's being
done under the company's Smart Mobility plan, which uses "innovation to
take the company to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous
vehicles, the customer experience and big data."
Ford’s e-bike will
come with a 200-watt motor, powered by a 9-amp-hour battery. Riders will be
able to bike at speeds up to 25 miles per hour with the electric pedal assist.
The bike will mirror
Ford's automotive technology, incorporating a rear-facing ultrasonic sensor to
alert the biker when a car is too close for comfort.
All three MoDe
e-bikes were designed with urban commuting in mind, and as such they will integrate
to your smartphone via the MoDe:Link app to deliver real-time weather
information, congestion warnings, turn-by-turn navigation, and public
transportation schedules. It will also provide multiple route options. Unique
features will also include a “no sweat” mode that will increase the motor’s
output based on heart rate to ensure riders get to their destination without
perspiring, as well as pothole detection systems and approaching car warnings.
The e-bikes will
feature unique front and rear suspension assemblies which can be configured for
road, mountain or city biking.
For now, all three e-bikes are prototypes with
indeterminate futures, though if the Ford e-bikes come to production-ready
fruition, they will likely have plenty of takers ready to give them a spin.
edited from USA Today
edited from USA Today
