New Ford Edge uses AI to help improve traction, fuel economy
The new 2019 Ford Edge with available allwheel 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 system is called allwheel-drive disconnect, a first-for-Ford technology that uses a form of artificial intelligence that can calculate quicker than the human brain. Based on information received from dozens of high-tech sensors, the new Edge can determine in a fraction of a second whether all-wheel drive is needed.
“The concept is pretty simple, it was the execution that was the challenge,” said Scott Beiring, Ford driveline applications supervisor. “Shifting between two- and allwheel drive needs to be fast and seamless enough that the customer doesn’t know it is happening.”
The system uses an allnew dedicated electronic brain that receives inputs from dozens of sensors throughout the vehicle. It interacts with the traction control system to detect wheel slip, receiving inputs from the anti-lock brakes to learn if that system is active. It even detects if the windshield wipers are on, whether the Edge is towing a trailer, and the outside temperature.
Power control – on the fly
An algorithm that uses “fuzzy logic” processes all of the data to determine if all-wheel or front-wheel drive are optimal. Constantly monitoring, the system can detect in 10 milliseconds the need to engage or disengage allwheel drive. It can 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.
“‘Fuzzy logic’ refers to the algorithm,” Beiring said. “It’s like you or I determining what to wear based on reading a weather forecast, where we’re going, the time of year and looking outside. In the case of the new Edge, just because the windshield wipers are on doesn’t mean all-wheel drive is going to engage. The algorithm makes the call based on a variety of things that are happening – but much faster than a person could process.
“There are similar systems out there, but none quite like this,” he added. “The fact that we’re able to switch seamlessly and without any input from
228 in Accokeek. Call Bobby at 240-682-6432 or Mike at 301843-1660.
The Southern Maryland Mustang Club meets monthly on a Saturday at the Charlotte Hall Library. For more information, go to somdmustang.org or email info@ somdmustang.org.
The Charles County Corvette Club meets the first Tuesday each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at different locations around the county. No dues, no board, just Corvette friends. To find out the next location, go to https://www.facebook.com/ Charles-County-CorvetteClub-87764176765/.
meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Bert’s 50s Diner, 38760 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall. For more information, call Bill Bushey at 240-682-1189 or go to the driver, that’s the real magic.”
More tech to burn less fuel
All-wheel-drive is only one
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meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Town Commissioner’s Office, 41660 Courthouse Drive, Leonardtown. Drivers wanted! Go to southernmarylandcorvetteclub.org.
meets the first Wednesday of each month at the Baden Volunteer Fire House in Baden. Members and guests may arrive as early as 7 p.m. for a social time of coffee and donuts with the meeting for the 2019 Ford Edge’s improved EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings. All-wheel drive equipped vehicles have
beginning at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. Call Paul at 301-7515705 or Roger at 301-466-7118.
will be held from 6-9 p.m. in the Greene Turtle parking lot, 3213 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater. Cruiseins are open to cars of all types. Call Reggie at 410-610-4440.
invites car enthusiasts and their vehicles to meet and check out great cars the third Sunday of each month, weather permitting, from 7:30-10 a.m. at Advance Auto Parts, 30340 Three Notch Road, Charlotte Hall. Go to www.facebook. com/CarsAndCoffeeSOMD.
will be held 8-10:30 a.m. every Sunday at the parking lot of the Accokeek Burger King, 15793 Livingston Road, Accokeek. Call Bobby at 240-682-6432 or Mike at 301-843-1660.