From the invention of the wheel to the horse-drawn carriage, and from the Model T to the cars of today, human history has been shaped by innovations in transportation. Today, the transportation landscape of the past is colliding with radical technology innovations that may once again reshape how the world moves.
A survey conducted across Asia Pacific on behalf of Ford Motor Company found that consumers are driving these changes as technology gives them new and easier ways to plan their journeys, whether using private or public transportation – or a combination of both.
“Smartphones are rapidly assimilating into our lives on the road, and Ford Smart Mobility is all about finding innovative ways to improve people’s lives by delivering smarter, more convenient access to mobility options,” said John Larsen, director, Ford Smart Mobility, Ford Asia Pacific.
Ford Smart Mobility is the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics. Ford is undertaking research and development across the technology and transportation landscape, including in-car connectivity, flexible ownership models and car-sharing programmes, autonomous vehicles, and much more.
“Mobility challenges are local in nature, and although no two places have the same suite of issues and opportunities, technology solutions can come from anywhere in the world,” said Larsen. “We are looking at different transportation environments and trying different things, which might mean experimenting with a new car-sharing model, or developing a mobile platform where people can consider different transportation options and make the decision that’s best for them at any given time. It’s all about exploring every option.”
