Ford is continuing its strategic move towards becoming a mobilty company by teaming up with smart cities startup Strawberry Energy to introduce smart benches providing London pedestrians free solar powered mobile charging and wi-fi access.
The collaboration will initially provide 20 benches, doubling the number installed by Strawberry earlier this year. As well as enabling people to use their device to plan onward journeys, the high tech street furniture can monitor noise, carbon dioxide, humidity, and temperature. The information will be available free of charge to bench users and participating London boroughs and could help inform future decisions.
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"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, the recently appointed director, Ford Smart Mobility, Europe.
"Walking, along with driving and riding public transport, is part of how people get around in a city like London and smart benches complement perfectly the increasingly connected lives we now lead."
Access to wi-fi and charging, both wirelessly and via ports, is free, for smartphones, tablets, cameras and wearables such as fitness monitors and smart watches.
There will also be an opportunity for those using the urban pit stops to make a donation to UK charities St Mungo's, Rethink Mental Illness and Macmillan Cancer Support and Ford Motor Company Fund, the company's philanthropic arm, will match donations received from bench users of up to GBP10,000 per charity.
"Whether for fitness, convenience, or simply the pleasure of being outdoors, many people enjoy walking, but dread being unable to access maps, social media, and news sites while on the move," said Strawberry Energy founder and CEO Milos Milisavljevic.
"Smart benches in Islington, Lewisham and Southwark will increasingly help ensure that walking will continue to be a key part of how Londoners enjoy their city."
