Ford’s remote battery testing system speeds up EV development
Wireless monitoring makes logistically complicated and time consuming tasks a thing of the past
- Published in News.
Ford has stepped up testing for its plug-in and battery electric vehicles by continuously monitoring their power packs wirelessly. The OEM is using the technology to minimise vehicle downtime and speed up the development.
“Remote monitoring allows us to access real-time data and make continuous improvements very quickly,” said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford’s electrification program.
The OEM will be launching two all-electric vehicles in Europe – the Transit Connect van and Focus compact car – in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
Ford’s engineers are using the technology to identify times when they can update vehicles’ software to better manage thermal loads and maximise power and energy capacity.
Engineers receive an email when software updates can be conducted based on adaptive event monitoring that detects conditions. This method has already led to at least 20 design improvements for the plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles.
“What used to be logistically complicated and time consuming can be accomplished now with a click of a mouse,” said Marakby.
