Ford Equips Select Pickups with Artificial Intelligence

Now that America’s favorite automaker has found a sneaky yet exciting way for traditional pickup lovers to fall in love with AI (artificial intelligence), a refill on the Aleve is no longer needed. Ford just cured one of its truck lovers’ excruciating headaches. The automaker has made hitching a truck and trailer simple as pressing a button. 

A tandem we hate to love to hate is the truck and a trailer; spend too much time connecting the two, and spectators will experience second-hand shame. But times have changed, Ford enthusiasts can have a spotter, but they are no longer needed. Flawlessly aligning the hitch ball under the trailer is effortless. 

So how is this sorcery possible? Ford’s Pro Trailer Hitch Assist employs corner radars and the rear camera to position the hitch with the trailer coupler while retaining the pickup’s speed, steering, and braking; once aligned, the vehicle stops at the perfect time. Ford Pro Trailer Hitch Assist premiers on the F-150, F-150 Lightning, and F-Series Super Duty.  

“Pro Trailer Hitch Assist is another smart solution to save time for our customers. Instead of struggling to hitch a trailer alone or with a spotter, customers can now get hitched more confidently and on their way to the lake or a jobsite.”

-Ford Truck General Manager, John Emmert

Technology and Towing Come Together in Harmony  

There is a gang of driver-assist technologies that the Ford Pro Trailer Assist makes excellent company out of for the F-Series family. For example, the Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes reversing up a trailer as easy as twisting a knob. Simply indicate the trailer’s direction, and the pickup will reverse it into the position.  

Ford F-150 fans can also measure how they tow through the available Onboard Scales. The Onboard Scales gauges and display the exact weight of the payload in the pickup. In addition to indicating poundage, the load details illuminates in the touchscreen, so does a graphic description of the truck, or perhaps in graphics within the smart taillamps (for select models). 

The smart taillamps function as the battery charge indicator on a cell phone. Additionally, the taillamps reveal the percentage of payload capacity by illuminating the LEDs (light emitting-diode) positioned through a built-in vertical bar. While loading the Ford truck, all four lights shine, implying that the vehicle is fully loaded. Nevertheless, if the pickup feels congested, then the top lights blink. So how does a Ford vehicle know when it’s packed? Easy, the max payload is based on the configuration automated within the system. Furthermore, the truck may be set on scale mode, zeroing out the existing load, and authorizing an exact weight of extra items packed onto the truck bed. 

Then there’s the class-exclusive Smart Hitch that serves enthusiasts by making it easier to load trailers and exercise safer towing practices. Smart Hitch measures the tongue weight of a connected trailer and aids Ford fans with the trailer weight distribution. 

Once the trailer is fixed on the infotainment system, Ford’s Smart Hitch examines its tongue weight and proposes recommendations on weight distribution or hitch overloading via the infotainment display or smart taillamps. Furthermore, the Ford pickup also reveals if the hitch weight is too high or low and advises owners through successfully tensioning a weight redistribution hitch.

Now who said towing couldn’t be fun? 

Test Drive Your Ford F-150 at Kenny Ross Ford South 

There’s a Ford F-150 with your name on it, and Kenny Ross Ford South is ready to provide you with an SUV that revs beyond your imagination. But, here at Kenny Ross Ford South, the most challenging decision you’ll make is selecting between our lustrous new vehicle inventories and quality pre-owned vehicles. So if you want to get a headstart on that new car smell, apply for auto financing at any given second. However, if you are still deciding whether to surrender your most prized possession, don’t worry. Our technicians are here to take on your next service or auto repair. So make your way over to Kenny Ross Ford South. Whether a deeply discounted car, an aggressive lease payment plan, routine maintenance, or a significant overhaul, sixty years of business should let you know you’ve come to the right place. So, ask a neighbor and see what Kenny Ross Ford South has in store for you.

Photo Source/Copyright: Ford Media