Looking to the Gecko for Answers; Ford to Seek Solutions by Mimicking Nature

• Ford researchers will study the gecko’s sticky toe pads for clues to
  improve adhesives and increase the recyclability of auto parts
• Biomimicry is an innovative approach that looks to nature for
  sustainable solutions to modern-day challenges; biomimetic innovations
  could transform the interior design of Ford vehicles
• Ford Motor Company recently hosted a biomimicry workshop at its
  Dearborn campus with participation from Procter & Gamble and The
  Biomimicry Institute

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 20, 2015 – Ford Motor Company will chart new territory as it seeks to create adhesive innovations inspired bythe gecko. Ford will also work with Procter & Gamble, sharing research findings as both companies look to biomimicry for a host of business solutions.

For years, Ford researchers have considered ways to make auto manufacturing more sustainable. A key challenge is glue used to adhere foams to plastics and metals can make disassembling parts for recycling
nearly impossible.


Enter the gecko.


The lizard’s toe pads allow it to stick to most surfaces without liquids or surface tension. The reptile can then easily release itself, leaving no residue. Consider, too, that a typical mature gecko weighing 2.5 ounces is capable of supporting 293 pounds.


The gecko could inspire a host of adhesive innovations for global applications at Ford, said Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader for plastics and sustainability research.

“Solving this problem could provide cost savings and certainly an environmental savings,” said Mielewski. “It means we could increase the recycling of more foam and plastics, and further reduce our environmental footprint.”


Buoyed by the biomimetic method, Ford recently hosted a forum at its Dearborn campus with participation from Procter & Gamble and The Biomimicry Institute, a nonprofit committed to promoting the innovative approach of looking to nature for sustainable solutions to modern-day challenges. Nearly 200
researchers and designers took part in the day-long session to learn about biomimicry and how to apply it to their work.

“We are excited for the opportunity to participate, together with Ford – with whom we have a history of collaboration – in The Biomimicry Institute workshop,” said Lee Ellen Drechsler, director for corporate
connect and development, The Procter and Gamble Company. “We have an interest within Procter & Gamble for using biomimicry as a way to broaden our approach to solving tough research challenges.”


The biomimetic approach is not new. The Bullet Train in Shinkansen, Japan was inspired by the kingfisher. Velcro took its cues from a burr.And improved medical needles were developed based on the mosquito.
Interest in the approach has increased in the last decade as awareness of climate change and environmental challenges is heightened, said Gretchen Hooker, project manager for design challenges at The Biomimicry
Institute.


Founded in 2006, the group works to empower people to create sustainable products and services using biomimicry. In addition to mobilizing educators and regional practitioners through the Biomimicry
Global Network, the organization provides a platform to learn and practice biomimicry through multiple design challenges. These include open innovation, academic-corporate partnerships and corporate-employee
challenges where employees get hands-on training while developing new solutions to issues corporations face. AskNature.org, the organization’s  online database of biological solutions, offers inspiration to those
looking to find answers in biomimicry.


“Ford and P&G are the first companies to take part in these new corporate-employee challenges,” said Hooker.


Beyond recycling, the Ford design teams have worked for nearly a  decade to find nature-inspired technologies, with recent successes in yarn production for seating materials and headliners.

Ford is the only automaker to use Unifi’s high-performance REPREVE fiber, made from 100 percent recycled materials including plastic bottles, in its vehicles. Ford employs REPREVE in five of its vehicles –
the new F-150, Explorer, Edge, Focus Electric and Fusion – making it aglobally used material. The use of REPREVE represents Ford’s commitment to reduce, reuse and recycle, part of the automaker’s global
sustainability strategy to lessen its environmental footprint.


Ford designers are now looking to expand upon that commitment,turning to nature to further improve the sustainable materials invehicle fabrics. The gecko may also inspire fabric technologies that
could transform the cabin of Ford vehicles, researchers said.

“As we look to further our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, taking a holistic, biomimetic approach makes sense because nature has efficiencies in design and uses minimal resources,” said
Carol Kordich, global sustainable fabric strategies and development, Ford. “Nature is the ultimate guide.”

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan,
manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About The Biomimicry Institute

The Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit
organization that empowers people to seek nature-inspired solutions for a
healthy planet. http://www.biomimicry.org.

Innovations for the 2016 Ford F-150

•     Pro Trailer Backup Assist helps make backing up a trailer as easy as turning a knob
•     New Special Edition Appearance Packages available on XLT and Lariat with unique wheels, graphics and finishes
•     Compressed Natural Gas/Propane gaseous fuel prep package available for 5.0-liter V8-equipped F-150s, helping reduce operating costs and tailpipe CO2 emissions

The 2016 Ford F-150, part of Ford F-Series, America’s best-selling truck for 38 years, continues to innovate with the addition of breakthrough towing technology, new Special Edition Appearance Packages, SYNC 3 and alternative fuel capability.


ll-new Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up to launch a boat or park in a driveway. The segment-first technology allows customers to steer a trailer instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction; the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed. Ford engineers developed the system leveraging advanced camera technology and tested it for almost a decade. Ford earned five patents for the technology along the way, with 10 more pending.


The Special Edition Packages for XLT and Lariat further personalize F-150 to customer tastes, adding all-new unique 20-inch premium anodized dark-painted aluminum wheels with red sport lettering, black running boards, smoked headlamps, unique bodyside graphics and badging, special edition seats with Alcantara® inserts, red contrast stitching and red bolsters, and unique red stitching on the steering wheel, transmission gear selector boot and instrument panel. This package also features a dark anodized grille with black mesh on XLT while the Lariat dark anodized grille receives red accents.


F-150 also features SYNC 3 – Ford’s newest communications and entertainment system that features enhanced voice recognition, high-speed performance and capacitive touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.


Responding to customer requests, the 2016 Ford F-150 with the 5.0-liter V8 engine will offer a gaseous-fuel prep option, making it the only light-duty pickup capable of running on compressed natural gas or propane.


New features and color choices


Other changes for the 2016 F-150 include:


    Shadow Black replaces Tuxedo Black

    Lithium Gray replaces Guard Metallic

    20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted silver pockets available on XL

Ford Trucks Hold Up Their End to Welcome Attendees to the ICUEE in Louisville, KY

The International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE), also known as The Demo Expo, is the premier event for utility industry professionals to gain comprehensive insight
into the latest technologies, innovations, insights, and trends affecting their industry.


This nice Ford F550 Dually is equipped with a Utility Body and a Terex Manlift Bucket. 2015 attendees had the opportunity to see dozens of Fords mounted with a variety of utility bodies, cranes and  other equipment throughout the inside exhibit halls as well as those displayed throughout acres of trucks in outside exhibits.

Find out nore at: http://www.scottpowerline.com/equipment.php

Vehicle Maintenance to Conserve Fuel

A comprehensive vehicle maintenance strategy can help fleet managers and drivers conserve fuel. Your fleet may already rely on these practices to ensure vehicle efficiency.


Proper Tire Inflation


Properly inflated tires last longer and increase fuel economy. Every decrease in pressure by 1 pound per square inch for four tires can decrease fuel economy by 0.3%. Some fleets use nitrogen inflation, tire pressure monitoring systems, and other technologies to maintain optimum tire pressure.

Recommended Motor Oil


Fleets can improve fuel economy by 1% to 2% using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can decrease fuel economy by 1% to 2%. Similarly, using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can decrease fuel economy by 1% to 1.5%.


Motor oil labeled "Energy Conserving" in the performance information contains friction-reducing additives that improve fuel economy.

Engine Tune-Ups


Tuning a neglected vehicle or fixing one that failed an emissions test can increase fuel economy by 4% based on the repair type and quality. Repairing a serious problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can increase fuel economy by 40%.

Aluminum Service Bodies by Highway Products

A standard Highway Products service body comes with six external storage
compartments, a drop down tail gate and a bolt on bumper. The lockable
storage compartments on these service bodies protect your tools from the
elements. Aluminum services bodies are half the weight of steel bodies
which will increase your fuel economy. We have a wide variety of utility
bodies to choose from and over 20 add-on option. We guarantee a perfect
fit and all service bodies come with a Lifetime Warranty.



Find out more at:  http://www.highwayproducts.com/

L.A. Drivers Fear Backing Onto Busy Roads More Than Ghosts, Flying; Ford Showcases Tech to Make Life Easier

•     Los Angeles drivers fear backing out onto a busy street more than ghosts or flying – according to an independent study commissioned by Ford, which brings its Ford Smart Mobility Tour to town
•     Ford Smart Mobility is the company’s plan to use innovation to develop the next advances in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data. A major area of focus is multimodal transportation, including developing an app that facilitates routing and integrates seamlessly with vehicles and electric bikes
•     To improve the driving experience, Ford has introduced several driver-assist technologies such as its Blind Spot Information System and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, as well as semi-autonomous technologies including a lane-keeping aid and active park assist

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 2015 – Angelenos worry more about backing out onto a busy street than ghosts or flying – according to a recent survey.


The survey, conducted by independent research company Penn Schoen Berland, examined driving-related fears, as well as public receptiveness to driver-assist and semi-autonomous technologies designed to ease driver anxiety and commuting hassles.


More L.A. survey respondents said they are more afraid of backing out onto a busy street (26 percent) than ghosts (16 percent) or flying (15 percent). In fact, visibility while driving is a leading concern for Los Angeles drivers, the PSB survey found. Three out of four said monitoring blind spots is a concern, while seven out of 10 listed backing out onto a busy street is a concern, and not being able to see all angles when backing up or driving in low-visibility situations as worrisome.


L.A. drivers find technology to alleviate these driving worries both popular and compelling:

    Nearly seven in 10 said they are more likely to purchase a vehicle that includes technology to alert you if someone is in your blind spot, while six in 10 said they are more likely to buy one with a rear view camera

    Nine in 10 said they are more comfortable in a car with blind spot alert technology (and 61 percent are much more comfortable with it)


Most L.A. residents described blind spot alert technology as “useful” (63 percent) and “safe” (52 percent). Nearly 90 percent of L.A. residents said they would feel more comfortable driving a car with a rear view camera – 52 percent say they would be much more comfortable 6 in 10 described rear view cameras as “useful” - nearly half described the cameras as “safe.”


Ford Smart Mobility Tour

This week Ford brings its Ford Smart Mobility Tour to L.A. The tour highlights the company’s driver-assist features that can help address driving-related fears, including BLIS® and semi-autonomous driving technologies, along with the Ford Smart Mobility plan.


Ford Smart Mobility is the company’s plan to take it to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data. Ford introduced the plan at CES in January, 2015 along with 25 initial experiments aimed at better understanding consumers’ mobility needs around the globe.


“Our smart mobility vision at Ford is about changing the way the world moves,” said Ken Washington, Ford vice president, Research and Innovation. “We are transitioning from experimentation to the start of implementation, beginning with the Go Drive and Peer to Peer car sharing pilots. Our goal is to make people’s lives better by helping them more easily navigate to where they want to go, using one or more interconnected modes of transportation.”


In addition to the Smart Mobility Tour, Ford will host a panel discussion moderated by Susan Carpenter, motor critic at The Orange County Register and The Wheel Thing contributor at KPCC-FM. The panel will include:


    Mike Tinskey, director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure, Ford Motor Company

    Claire Bowin, city planner, Los Angeles City Planning Department

    Hilary Norton, executive director, Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic (FAST)

    Brian Taylor, director, UCLA Institute for Transportation Studies


The event will commence at 10 a.m. today at the William Turner Gallery at Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica.


Driver-assist and semi-autonomous tech for today

To improve today’s driving experience, Ford has introduced driver-assist and semi-autonomous technologies such as active park assist to help drivers parallel and perpendicular park more easily. Driver-assist technologies include lane-keeping aid to help drivers stay in their lane and BLIS, which alerts drivers to vehicles detected entering their blind spots.

To stay connected while in motion, SYNC® 3, Ford’s all-new communications and entertainment system, features faster performance and conversational voice recognition, along with an available intuitive smartphone-like touch screen.

Ford offers more vehicle nameplates in the United States with active park assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with lane-keeping aid and blind spot monitoring than any other manufacturer – according to automotive research firm SBD. Ford also leads in four segments, offering vehicles with the most available driver-assist features among mainstream vehicles in the country:

•     Large light-duty pickup – F-150


•     Midsize SUV – Edge and Explorer


•     Midsize car – Fusion

•     Large car – Taurus

Ford will demonstrate its new Pro Trailer Backup Assist feature that will be available on the 2016 F-150. The technology helps to ease the anxiety level of backing a trailer – which can be a challenging task for the novice and tricky even for those with trailering experience.

Multimodal mobility solutions

In many large cities, driving your vehicle directly from home to work is challenging due to traffic congestion. Ford believes solutions for multimodal journeys can make travel to and within urban areas more convenient. The company is studying how electric bicycles and mobile application technology can work seamlessly with cars and public transport to deliver faster and easier daily commutes and help businesses operating in urban environments.


Ford’s electric bicycle experiments include:


    MoDe:Me, introduced in March, is intended to keep the urban commuter moving in congested traffic

    MoDe:Pro is built for urban commercial use, and is designed to stow in a commercial vehicle such as Ford Transit Connect

    MoDe:Flex is easily reconfigurable for different customer needs. The bike’s center frame assembly includes the motor and battery, while the front and rear assemblies and wheels can be configured for road, mountain or city riding


Ford’s electric bicycle prototypes fold easily into Ford vehicles, and integrate seamlessly with the MoDe:Link app, which can be paired with a smartwatch.


This includes the “no sweat” mode, which increases electric pedal assist based on heart rate – ensuring a rider gets to his or her destination without breaking a sweat. The app also provides safety notifications. Hazards, such as potholes ahead, are signaled through vibrating

About Ford Motor Company


Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 195,000 employees and 66 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

About Penn Schoen Berland


Penn Schoen Berland (PSB), an independent research company, conducted the poll on behalf of Ford Motor Company among 1,500 general population respondents (age 18+) in the U.S. – with 300 in Louisville, 300 in Orlando, 300 in Los Angeles, 300 in Seattle and 300 in Denver. The online survey was conducted from Aug. 11-17, 2015. The margin of error for each city is +/- 5.66%.

2017 Ford Super Duty: Towing and Technology interview

Ford has given the 2017 Super Duty pickup truck some solid upgrades, many of which have come in the technology department, both for improving safety and towing abilities.

PickupTrucks.com's Mark Williams interviews Ford Motor Company’s Driver Assistance Electronics Supervisor, Jennifer Shaw, at the 2015 State Fair of Texas in Dallas.