Ford employees were challenged to develop electric personal assistant devices that will help to make transportation better in areas where vehicles are not permitted or practical, and which help people to get to their final destination from their car. Employees submitted 633 proposals for personal mobility solutions, with the finalists being the electric rideable platform Carr-E, the folding electric tricycle TriCiti and self-loading electric wheelchair eChair.
The Carr-E is a small electric tricycle with a low platform, which can transport people, or objects of up to 120 kilograms at a top speed of 18km/h and has a range of 22 kilometers. As it has the same form and dimensions as a car wheel, it can be stored where the reserve wheel is usually kept, thus not taking any extra space in the trunk. During transport, it can autonomously follow the user who keeps an electronic transmitter in his pocket.
The electric TriCiti is designed to serve as a rideable device or an all-purpose carrying assistant. When you're not using it, it can be easily stored in the trunk, taking very little space, and it can even be taken to a bus or a train. The TriCiti has a range of 30 kilometers and a top speed of 20km/h.
The eChair is a lightweight electric wheelchair, able to self-load and designed specifically to offer greater independence to people with reduced mobility.