Ford gives Lightning electric pickup owners a new tool to automatically hitch a trailer
Ford introduced a new artificial intelligence-based technology called Ford Pro Trailer Hitch Assist that can automatically back up and align the F-150 Lightning pickup’s hitch ball to a trailer with the push of a button.
With over 100 years of experience in making trucks, Ford knows a thing or two about what owners are looking to get out of it.
Using the expertise it has built over the years, the American automaker introduced its first fully electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning, in 2021, or what Ford calls “the smartest, most innovative F-150 yet.”
With impressive power and features, the Lightning EV pickup has quickly become a favorite among buyers and automotive journalists alike.
Since the first Lightning customers received their trucks last May, we have learned a lot about what it can do as owners have used it to provide mobile power after several hurricanes and floods last year.
In fact, according to recently gathered consumer data (anonymous to ensure confidentiality), Lightning owners use the bed of their pickup more often for activities like camping, hauling, and home projects.
Ford released a new tool this week to make towing with the Lightning a breeze with new AI-based technology.
Ford releases new Trailer Hitch Assist for the Lightning
We’ve all been there, backing up and lining up to hitch a trailer is no walk in the park, especially with bigger trailers or campers.
To allow Lightning owners to get the most out of their trucks, the new Trailer Hitch Assist from Ford Pro uses machine learning and computer vision to automate the process of backing up to a trailer.
Ford’s new system works by using the rear camera and corner radars to align the truck’s hitch to the trailer while also controlling the truck’s speed, steering, and braking at the same time to stop at the perfect position for up to 20 feet.
The system’s ultrasonic reverse parking aid will alert the driver if an obstacle gets in the way. Drivers can view the progress on the truck’s display screen as it backs up.
John Emmert, Ford Truck general manager, explained how it can make life easier for work or for play with less time spent trying to maneuver the truck into position, saying:
Pro Trailer Hitch Assist is another smart solution to save time for our customers. Instead of struggling to hitch a trailer alone or with a spotter, customers can now get hitched more confidently and on their way to the lake or a jobsite.
Ford says the Pro-Trailer Hitch Assist system was developed in-house with over 60 patents and will get better over time with Ford Power-Up software updates.
Electrek’s Take
With the help of AI, Ford is automating one of the most time-consuming and aggravating aspects (for most) of owning a truck.
The move shows Ford knows its audience and what they want to get from their trucks. The Lightning continues to improve and attract new buyers, now Ford just needs to make more of them.
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Tesla’s Q2 results are in, and they are way, way down from Q2 of 2024. At the same time, Nissan seems to be in serious trouble and the first-ever all-electric Dodge muscle car is getting recalled because its dumb engine noises are the wrong kind of dumb engine noises. All this and more on today’s deeply troubled episode of Quick Charge!
We’ve also got an awesome article from Micah Toll about a hitherto unexplored genre of electric lawn equipment, a $440 million mining equipment deal, and a list of incompetent, corrupt, and stupid politicians who voted away their constituents’ futures to line their pockets.
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OpenAI is distancing itself from Robinhood‘s latest crypto push after the trading platform began offering tokenized shares of OpenAI and SpaceX to users in Europe.
“These ‘OpenAI tokens’ are not OpenAI equity,” OpenAI wrote on X. “We did not partner with Robinhood, were not involved in this, and do not endorse it.”
The company said that “any transfer of OpenAI equity requires our approval — we did not approve any transfer,” and warned users to “please be careful.”
Robinhood announced the launch Monday from Cannes, France, as part of a broader product showcase focused on tokenized equities, staking, and a new blockchain infrastructure play. The company’s stock surged above $100 to hit a new all-time high following the news.
“These tokens give retail investors indirect exposure to private markets, opening up access, and are enabled by Robinhood’s ownership stake in a special purpose vehicle,” a Robinhood spokesperson said in response to the OpenAI post.
Robinhood offered 5 euros worth of OpenAI and SpaceX tokens to eligible EU users who signed up to trade stock tokens by July 7. The assets are issued under the EU’s looser investor restrictions via Robinhood’s crypto platform.
“This is about expanding access,” said Johann Kerbrat, Robinhood’s SVP and GM of crypto. “The goal with tokenization is to let anyone participate in this economy.”
The episode highlights the dynamic between crypto platforms seeking to democratize access to financial products and the companies whose names and equity are being represented on-chain
U.S. users cannot access these tokens due to regulatory restrictions.
Despite the warnings, BYD continues introducing new discounts. On Wednesday, BYD’s luxury off-road brand began offering over 50% Huawei’s smart driving tech.
BYD introduces new discounts on smart driving tech
After BYD cut prices again in May, the China Automobile Manufacturers Association (CAMA) warned that the ultra-low prices are “triggering a new round of price war panic.”
Although they didn’t single out BYD, it was pretty obvious. BYD slashed prices across 22 of its vehicles by up to 34%, triggering several automakers to follow suit in China.
BYD’s cheapest EV, the Seagull, typically starts at about $10,000 (66,800 yuan). After the price cuts, the Seagull is listed at under $8,000 (55,800 yuan).
It doesn’t look like China’s EV leader plans to slow down anytime soon. Fang Cheng Bao, BYD’s luxury off-road brand, introduced new discounts on Huawei’s smart driving tech on Wednesday.
The limited-time offer cuts the price of Huawei’s Qiankun Intelligent Driving High-end Function Package to just 12,000 yuan ($1,700).
Buyers who order the smart driving tech in July will save over 50% compared to its typical price of 32,000 yuan ($4,500).
Earlier this year, Fang Chang Bao launched the Tai 3, its most affordable vehicle, starting at 139,800 yuan ($19,300). The Tai 3 is about the size of the Tesla Model Y, but costs about half as much.
The Tai 3 will spearhead a new sub-brand of electric SUVs following the more premium Bao 8 and Bao 5 hybrid SUVs.
BYD’s luxury off-road brand sold 18,903 vehicles last month, up 50% from May and 605% compared to last year. Fang Cheng Bao has now sold over 10,000 vehicles for three consecutive months.
The Chinese EV giant sold 382,585 vehicles in total in June, an increase of 12% from last year. In the first half of the year, BYD’s cumulative sales reached over 2.1 million, a YOY increase of 33%.
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