It is no longer the stuff of science fiction movies, artificial intelligence (AI) is now being used to help improve your journey and improve your fuel efficiency, too.
Coming soon to Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble is the new 2019 Ford Edge. It will be made with available all-wheel drive that is smart enough to detect the different driving conditions you encounter and automatically shift between two-wheel and all-wheel drive. That means your vehicle will provides all-wheel-drive traction when you really need it, and switch it off when you don’t to help reduce your fuel consumption.
Ford Artificial Intelligence Tech First
The new 2019 Ford Edge with available all-wheel drive is smart enough to detect various driving conditions and automatically shift between two-wheel and all-wheel drive. The feature provides all-wheel-drive traction when it is needed, and helps reduce fuel consumption when it’s not.
The new available system is called all-wheel-drive disconnect. This first-for-Ford technology uses a form of AI which is able to calculate quicker than most of our human brains. Utilizing information that it is always receiving from a series of high-tech sensors, the new Edge is able to determine in a fraction of a second whether all-wheel drive should be engaged.
According to Scott Beiring, Ford driveline applications supervisor, “The concept is pretty simple, it was the execution that was the challenge. Shifting between two- and all-wheel drive needs to be fast and seamless enough that the customer doesn’t know it is happening.”
Not only does the electronic brain receive input from the sensors, it also interacts with the traction control system to detect wheel slip, and input from the anti-lock brake system to learn if that system is active. But wait…there’s more. The high-tech system even detects if the vehicle’s wipers are on, whether the SUV has a trailer in tow, as well as the current outside temperature.
Leading-Edge Logic
The system uses an algorithm that Ford referes to as “fuzzy logic” which processes all of the data. It is constantly monitoring and can detect in 10 milliseconds if the vehicle needs to engage or disengage all-wheel drive. It will then quickly distribute up to 100 percent of the available power from the front to the rear wheels, depending on driving conditions detected by the system.
Technology Fuels Efficiency
New 2019 Ford Edge AI available technology adjusts to driving conditions and helps increase fuel efficiency.
Ford states that the all-wheel-drive disconnect is the primary reason for the 2019 Ford Edge’s improved EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings. All-wheel drive equipped Ford Edge SUVs have EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The front-wheel drive vehicles have EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined.
With standard all-wheel drive and a 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost® engine, Edge ST, the first SUV from the Ford Performance team, has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway/21 mpg combined. Actual mileage may vary. [1]
Additional fuel-saving tech features include:
- 8-speed automatic transmission with two overdrive gears. Decreases engine rpm for improved fuel economy during highway cruising.
- Active transmission warm-up. Utilized reclaimed heat energy to warm up the transmission faster.
- Standard Auto Start-Stop. Helps save fuel by shutting off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and auto-starts when the driver removes their foot from the brake.
- Deceleration fuel shut-off stops fuel flow to the engine when the vehicle is reducing speed.
- Exhaust gas recirculation reduces harmful emissions and increases efficiency by allowing a larger throttle position, thereby reducing pumping loss.
- Aerodynamic edge. The 2019 models are equipped with active grille shutters, full underbody shields and air curtains to reduce drag.
The new Edge and Edge ST are due to arrive at Planet Ford in Humble (serving Houston, Kingwood, Atascocita, Porter, Katy, Conroe) this fall. Visit us to learn more about great Ford SUVs at 19000 Eastex Freeway/Hwy. 59 at the Planet Ford sign for savings or shop online at PlanetFord59.com!
[1] Ratings for 2019 Edge ST compared to ratings for 2018 Edge Sport. Soure/details https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2018/09/12/new-ford-edge–edge-st-use-artificial-intelligence-to-help-impro.html