Fact Sheet: Accessory Challenge

Commercial vehicles transport people, animals and goods wherever they are needed, but the vehicles’ usefulness does not have to end when they’re parked. Equipped with the right technology and accessories, commercial vehicles could be used as a base to bring critical services to people who have little or no access in urban and rural areas.

Ford challenged app developers to create accessories for Ford commercial vehicles and light-duty trucks that improve the delivery of needed services. The geographic focus of the challenge was in and around Johannesburg, South Africa. Ultimately, Ford is looking for solutions that could be applied in any urban area throughout Africa.

Secondary Power Management System was named the grand prize winner.

Secondary Power Management System is an electrical system that would be constructed to be independent of a vehicle’s primary electrical system. It would operate on its own battery and be charged separately from the primary electrical system, allowing the vehicle to remain in operation regardless of the power draw on the secondary system. The design would allow for providing power to many devices, such as lights, communications equipment, refrigeration units and computers.