Ford debuts solar-powered smart benches

Ford continued its push into the fledgling smart city market with the unveiling of plans for 20 Smart Benches across London, which will provide pedestrians with solar-powered Wi-Fi and mobile phone charging.

The benches, which are provided by UK-based start-up Strawberry Energy, also collect environmental data that is provided free to the public and local authorities.

The initial roll out of 20 smart benches in Islington, Lewisham, and Southwark will double the number of the benches installed across the capital.

The benches can monitor a range of environmental indicators, including noise, carbon dioxide, humidity, and temperature.

They will provide mobile device re-charging and Wi-Fi connectivity free of charge, although users will be able to make a donation to a charity if they wish. Ford's philanthropic arm has promised to match donations made to St Mungo's, Rethink Mental Illness and Macmillan Cancer Support up to £10,000 for each charity.

The project is the latest in a series of moves from the auto manufacturing giant as it seeks to reposition itself as a provider of mobility services.

"At Ford, we believe the city of tomorrow should make people feel happy, safe and connected, so we're looking at how streets could be designed to serve a full range of activities: walking, biking, driving, connecting with others, and of course, business and services that support our economies," said Sarah-Jayne Williams, director for Ford Smart Mobility, Europe, in a statement. "Walking, along with driving and riding public transport, is part of how people get around in a city like London and Ford Smart Benches complement perfectly the increasingly connected lives we now lead."

The news comes in the same month as Ford's German arm teamed up with Deutsche Bahn to promote bike-sharing services.

The partnership builds on an existing collaboration between the two companies to provide urban car-sharing services.

Under the new initiative, 3,200 FordPass bicycles will be made available via Deutsche Bahn's Call a Bike hire system to cyclists in Cologne and Düsseldorf.

"As a mobility provider, we will collaborate on sustainable solutions that supplement the transportation system in a way that makes sense, particularly in inner city areas," said Ford's Steven Armstrong. "For this reason, we are launching the FordPass bike sharing service together with Germany's market leader, Call a Bike."

Customers will be able to use the FordPass mobile app, which can already be used to access cars through the company's car-sharing service, to register for Call a Bike, find the nearest available bicycle, and pay for it online.