AT&T and Ford Team Up to Bring 5G to Ford F-150 Lightning Production

New connectivity paves the way for potential additional future advanced manufacturing technologies

Published: Oct 26, 2021 at 9:30 am EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago

DALLAS and DEARBORN, me., Oct 26, 2021 / PRNewswire / – Ford Motor Company and AT&T are expanding Rouge Electric Vehicle Center at Ford’s historic Dearborn Rouge site – the future of electric vehicle manufacturing – by adding next-generation highly secure 5G cellular connectivity to the construction of the new all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning Pickup.

Ford’s private 5G network based on AT&T 5G with AT & T’s Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) technology will support production of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, the first fully electric version of America’s best-selling F-Series truck .

“With this collaboration, we will help Ford unlock the potential of 5G to build the truck of the future,” said Rasesh Patel, Chief Product & Platform Officer, AT&T Business. “5G connectivity is brought to life! And all thanks to the transformative ultra-fast speeds, incredibly low latency, and massive connectivity that 5G is in action. “

“The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center was built in a clean design and has the latest advanced manufacturing technology,” said Adrian Price, Executive Director, Global Manufacturing Engineering, Ford Motor Company. “We are using 5G technology in this facility as a platform in order to be able to use significant additional advanced manufacturing technologies in the future.”

The all-electric F-150 Lightning has an EPA estimated range of 300 miles, zero emissions and available Ford Intelligent Backup Power.

5G connectivity can help power the electric vehicle landscape by enabling future skills at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center, including the ability to:

• New Technology Support – On the production line, workers use tablet computers to send and receive information about equipment status and material supplies. Phones are also used as a vision system to scan certain components of the vehicle for accuracy. Both the phones and tablets will have 5G capability for faster processing times and better connectivity. 5G will support additional applications as the devices are updated to enable 5G connectivity.
• Improve automated industrial vehicles and machines – Employee safety is the top priority for every production facility. The lower latency of 5G can help automated robots and machines make better decisions and faster response times to improve the safety of workers around them.
• Enable Faster Wireless Vehicle Updates – In the past, vehicle software updates had to be performed using mobile computer hardware, but now Ford is making these updates wireless. The 5G technology in the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center provides a better connection for these updates, thus saving processing time.

Ford recently announced plans to invest an additional amount $ 250 million and the creation of 450 more jobs to boost production of the F-150 Lightning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center. Ford’s Rouge Electric Vehicle Center is located in the historic Rouge complex, which sets the standard for sustainable automotive assembly. This new center supports Ford’s vision of sustainable production as a zero waste-to-landfill location. The Rouge Electric Vehicle Center uses natural light as well as LED lighting and the primary truck fleet uses hydrogen fuel cells with a zero emissions profile. It was built on the site of the old Dearborn assembly plant using the recycled foundation and building materials from the former plant.

For more information on how AT&T can help companies get more out of 5G, please visit www.business.att.com/portfolios/5G-for-business.html. More information about the Ford F-150 Lightning can be found at www.ford.com/trucks/f150/f150-lightning/2022/.

* Via AT&T Communications
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AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T). For more information, please visit us at att.com.

* About Ford
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michiganthat is committed to building a better world where everyone can move freely and make their dreams come true. The company’s Ford + Plan for Growth and Value combines existing strengths, new skills and ongoing customer relationships to enrich the experience for these customers and deepen those customers’ loyalty. Ford designs, manufactures, markets, and services a full line of connected, increasingly electrified passenger and commercial vehicles: Ford trucks, commercial vehicles, vans, and automobiles as well Lincoln Luxury vehicles. The company has leadership positions in electrification, connected vehicle services and mobility solutions, including self-driving technologies, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs around 182,000 people worldwide. For more information about the company, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

AT&T Inc. logo. (PRNewsFoto / AT & T Inc.)

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