Ford is Working on a Crazier Version of the Hummer EV'S Crab Walk
Ford never ceases to seek new technologies to further develop their trucks and make them even more competitive in the market.
The latest innovation is a new patent published recently, which is basically a new four-wheel steering system technology, it allows each of the truck’s four wheels to take its own direction, independently of the other wheels and even independently of the steering wheel.
It’s true that we have already seen similar systems in the new GMC Hummer EV and the upcoming Chevy Silverado EV, but it looks like Ford’s proposal has more to it than just a simple four-wheel steering system.
The patent in itself isn’t that recent, it dates back to September 2020. But it has been published only recently under the title of “CRAWL OPERATIONS FOR FOUR-WHEEL STEERING VEHICLES”, the accompanying illustrations take an older model F-150 Raptor as a show case, even though the technology would be exclusively suited for an electric truck, like the F-150 lightning for example, as it needs some electric functions to work properly.
Explaining the way this technology works can be rather complicated and even boring. But the basic idea is that it turns the front wheels in an opposite direction to the rear wheels and then drive the axels in opposite directions, this way the truck can move left or right without advancing or going backwards. Ford says that This maneuver offers new options for getting out of delicate situations, like being stuck in sand or mud with no possibility to advance or go back. (See illustration bellow)
To achieve that, ford might resort to using dual electric motors, working independently on each axel, however the system would work outside of the driver’s control, his only contribution would be pressing the accelerator or maybe turning the steering wheel towards the desired direction.
This is just an example of the system’s various functions; the independence of each wheel opens the way for further developments and uses.
Ford’s new system maybe appealing to drivers who are used to take off road trips frequently, and are familiar with the hardships that entails. However, it’s not intended to be used on pavement, you can’t just slide sideways into a parking spot for example, not yet anyway.
In the end it seems like the major truck makers has just opened a new field of innovation to compete in! the possibilities are unknown, and each of them will do their best to out-do the others.
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