Dubai, UAE. February 11, 2018 – The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) showcased on its Ambulance of the Future – a Ford Transit-based vehicle heralded as the most advanced emergency unit ever developed –  during the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress last week.

The ambulance, developed by DCAS as a project under the Dubai 10X initiative, was customised by American Emergency Vehicles (AEV) in the US and fitted with the very latest patient care and safety equipment by Ferno-Washington, and telematics systems by Ferno-ACETECH.

The Dubai 10X initiative was launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to set the Government of Dubai on a mission to be 10 years ahead of all other cities by affecting radical changes through experimental, out-of-the-box future oriented exponential thinking.

Dubai’s Ambulance of the Future merges the very latest in patient care and occupant safety with advanced connectivity, automotive integration, onboard diagnostics and telecommunications. And the Ford Transit has the capability and versatility to deliver just that according to HE Khalifa Hassan al Darai, DCAS CEO.

“This ambulance is far more advanced than all of the previous ambulances we have had,” he explained. “And by 2020, we expect it will be even more groundbreaking. The medical equipment has evolved so much in this vehicle; the critical appliances needed can now be controlled easily and moved from right to left. Also, the internal and external lighting can be controlled with a touch of a button. We looked at the best and most innovative equipment in the world and brought it to Dubai to help paramedics save lives.”

Technology saving lives

Ferno and AEV used a Ford Transit base vehicle to create the most advanced ambulance in the world by merging the latest automotive, telecommunications and medical technology in one integrated package.

While advanced restraint systems are installed for the patient and paramedics, and the interior is fitted with a modular design -- with wall-mounted track system with quick release brackets for easy access to critical equipment – the real power behind the Ambulance of the Future lies under the versatile work areas of the Transit ambulance.

An Advanced Vehicle Informatics Module takes GPS information and combines it with vehicle data from the Transit’s on board diagnostics port, and feeds that information to three touchscreens; one in the cabin and two in the rear of the ambulance.

Eric Gallagher, CEO of Ferno ACETECH, explained, “Everything is data driven. It’s all about prediction analysis and where we go with that. For us, it’s about predicting fleet process scenarios and what you should be doing from a fleet point of view.

“We also take data from the back of the vehicle information like moving patient data to hospitals right down to looking at all of the equipment used. We even have an RFID system here – a tiny little device that goes on to consumables and high value assets and predicts when maintenance is due on them, or when they need replacing. It tells the system where they are, and also looks at aspects of calibration and maintenance that has to happen regularly.”

All of that information is fed to a cloud-based system where DCAS fleet managers are able to monitor via a secure web-interface.

Future Advancements

The healthcare and automotive worlds have advanced at an incredible rate as technology has made major leaps in both fields over recent years. Connected ambulance of the future – connected to hospitals, ambulance command centres and other emergency services in the area - will mean a safer and more efficient ambulance service.

Ford is already accelerating work on smart, connected vehicles, including autonomous vehicles, electrified vehicles and digital services to thrive in emerging transportation operating system. Ford is also testing its electrified van, Ford’s new plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) Transit Custom van, in London and Germany, exploring how the hybrid electric vans can contribute to cleaner air targets and enhanced productivity.

“For more than 50 years businesses have relied on Ford Transits to get the job done, and we are determined to maintain that tradition as we move towards a more connected future,” said Terry Rayner, Commercial Vehicle Director, Ford Middle East. “Seeing the Ambulance of the Future on the road is an exciting milestone, and we look forward to teaming up with our healthcare partners and customers to bringing a new generation of emergency vehicles to the region.”