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Ford Launches New Outback Mobility Challenge (475)

Ford is challenging the World’s most innovative entrepreneurs to solve mobility challenges for Australians travelling ‘off the beaten track’ in the Outback.

A key part of the company’s Smart Mobility plan, the Innovate Mobility Challenge Series builds on the company’s plan to innovate and affirm its leadership in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and big data.

Outback living comes with its transport challenges, in often unforgiving and rugged terrain. Ford is calling on developers and innovators to create solutions to ensure drivers are prepared for emergency situations in some of Australia’s most remote locations.

Scarce access to help and resources are big obstacles faced by those in the Outback. Ford is challenging innovators to invent an accessory or app that increases driver awareness in remote regions or over rugged terrain. The core objective is to enhance driver self-sufficiency in difficult situations, like unexpected failures, hazardous weather and difficult road conditions. 

“We are driving innovation in every part of our business to be both a product and mobility company – and, ultimately, to change the way the world moves just as our founder Henry Ford did 111 years ago,” said Dave French, Programs Director Asia Pacific, an Australian who has risen to a key global engineering position for Ford.  

“Australia has the third lowest population density in the world, a fact that brings with it a multitude of transport and mobility challenges,” said French. “We’re excited to see what innovative solutions some of Australia’s and the world’s brightest minds will bring to the table,” 

Ford Smart Mobility focuses on four global megatrends – a growing urban population, an expanding middle class, air quality and public health concerns, and changing customer attitudes and priorities – challenging today’s transportation model and limiting personal mobility, especially in urban areas. 

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For additional background information and an overview on the challenge click here.