2019 Ford Edge will employ artificial intelligence in new all-wheel-drive disconnect system | McLarty Daniel Ford

For years, science fiction has speculated on the ways artificial intelligence — the ability of computers to “think,” reason and make complicated decisions — will affect our day-to-day lives. While some of the more out-there of those speculations have gone very dark indeed (hello, Terminator!), the reality is: modern industry and even consumer products are poised to be transformed by the advent of thinking computers.

One case in point is the all-wheel-drive disconnect system on the new 2019 Ford Edge and high performance 2019 Ford Edge ST. Designed to help improve gas-mileage in all-wheel-drive vehicles, which historically have had lower mile-per-gallon fuel economy than their two-wheel drive counterparts, the system uses a basic form of artificial intelligence computing to almost instantaneously “know” when to go from all-wheel-drive to two-wheel drive, allowing for added traction when it is needed and better fuel economy when it’s not.

A first for a Ford vehicle, the all-wheel-drive disconnect system can switch between all-wheel-drive to front-wheel-drive and back again in less than 10 milliseconds with no input from the driver, while giving those inside the 2019 Ford Edge zero sign that the change from 4×4 to 4×2 is happening. The system works through a newly developed electronic “brain” which receives input from dozens of sensors located throughout the vehicle calculating hundreds of factors, including detecting the degree of wheel slippage, road conditions, anti-lock brake input, vehicle speed, windshield wiper usage, whether a trailer is in tow, outside temperature and more. The computer then uses a form of artificial intelligence called “fuzzy logic” to sift this constant stream of data and make the call to either turn off or turn on the all-wheel-drive system. Depending on that “decision,” which can be made over 50 times faster than the blink of a human eye, the computer can then allocate torque to individual wheels, including routing 100 percent of engine power to the front wheels if traction demands are low.

“‘Fuzzy logic’ refers to the algorithm,” said Scott Beiring, Ford driveline applications supervisor. “It’s like you or I determining what to wear based on reading a weather forecast, where we’re going, the time of year and looking outside. In the case of the new Edge, just because the windshield wipers are on doesn’t mean all-wheel drive is going to engage. The algorithm makes the call based on a variety of things that are happening – but much faster than a person could process.”

The result of the technology is the best-ever fuel economy for an all-wheel-drive Ford Edge, with an estimated 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for the 2019 model year. Also helping keep mileage low on the 2019 Ford Edge and 2019 Ford Edge ST is a new 8-speed automatic transmission with double overdrive gears, an active transmission warm up system that uses engine heat to help the transmission reach operating temperature faster, and a new synthetic, ultra-low viscosity transmission fluid developed specifically for the 2019 Edge. The 2019 Ford Edge also includes active grille shutters, a full underbody shield and air curtains to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag.

It’s just one more way the engineers at Ford are pushing the Blue Oval brand boldly into tomorrow. If you’re looking to buy a 2019 Ford Edge in Fayetteville or Rogers, stop in today at McLarty Daniel Ford of Bentonville. The 2019 Ford Edge and high-performance, twin-turbo 2019 Ford Edge ST won’t start arriving on the lot until later this fall, but we can get you set up to be the first in town to get the keys to one of these incredible new machines from Ford. Stop in today and speak to one of our sales associates, or shop our big selection online today! 

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