Ford Motor Company today released details of a new “Smart Mobility” pilot program in Africa, dubbed “Project Better World.”
Ford’s new pilot program is launching in South Africa and Nigeria, with the intent of using Smart Mobility to bring healthcare and other services to remote areas that are currently underserved. For instance, two modified Ford Ranger pickup trucks in South Africa will function as mobile clinics, delivering medication for chronic conditions, monitoring the growth of children, and the like. Both trucks are outfitted with refrigerators, video projectors, tablets, and other equipment to help them administer health services and education.
Working with Riders for Health in Nigeria, Ford is outfitting motorcycles, four-wheelers, and trucks with sensors and OpenXC data tools to gather information that might help the group work more efficiently as they deliver medical supplies and professionals to remote locations. The OpenXC interface will also help create accurate maps of the region, and Ford is going a step further by helping to train Riders for Health technicians to maintain the vehicles so that they can remain in service longer.
“At Ford, we are looking beyond the traditional role vehicles play in society and are aggressively pursuing solutions to address the human challenges faced around the globe,” says Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “Those challenges take us to remote areas where we can use advanced vehicle and connectivity technologies to change people’s lives and make the world a better place.”
No Comments yet