Ford and ONCE create the eChair: a prototype that will facilitate access for people with reduced mobility

For years, car manufacturers have been working diligently to ensure that driving is not an obstacle for people with reduced mobility . After much research and applied technology, various systems have been developed that allow for much more comfortable access to the passenger compartment and, at the same time, new functions for complete vehicle control. However, Ford and ONCE (Spanish National Organization of the Blind) wanted to go further and enhance the driving experience even more, something they have achieved with the creation of the eChair prototype.

The American firm has extensive experience in developing vehicles with a series of specific accessories. to facilitate access for drivers with reduced mobilityThey are called Ford Adapta and, despite having numerous grants, the collaboration with ONCE has allowed this advance to be projected in an element which will soon become a reality.

The eChair arrives as a system that will allow for much simpler and more efficient access than any other . On the one hand, the seat of our Ford will move out of the passenger compartment, making it easier for the driver to transfer from the wheelchair to the driver's seat. However, both Ford and ONCE have revolutionized this system, as it now includes a crane hidden in the trunk that will pick up and deploy the wheelchair completely autonomously.

The driver will be able to operate the system via a mobile app, making the process even simpler . Although the new eChair is in its early stages of development, we will soon see a very similar system implemented in Ford's Adapta models, and this feature will also serve to further research into other types of autonomy; however, this is not the only new feature the American company is incorporating.

The eChair system will be available in all types of cars in the future, including private vehicles and taxis . At the same time, Ford also intends to implement this system in car-sharing vehicles, aiming to expand its reach and make these services more accessible to customers with reduced mobility. Furthermore, the Blue Oval brand has announced that its Adapta range is expanding with the addition of the Mondeo hybrid and the Fiesta ST-Line , the former being the ideal choice for those seeking not only exceptional comfort but also remarkably low fuel consumption.

Ford intends to continue developing and researching new ways to further facilitate the adaptation of its most versatile models . The eChair is just the beginning, and very soon we will see the American firm showcase not only the production model but also numerous systems that will continue to enable its customers with reduced mobility to enjoy driving.