FEBRUARY 202319MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSIGHTSHOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THIS IDEA?We did a lot of research on our customer base during the early stages. One of the significant things we gathered through research is that customization according to users is making the vehicle their own. We started working on making things modular and plug and play to make things that people could change on their own. The idea behind FITS slots is ingenious and adaptive, and that is what gets customers to the Mavericks. The FITS slots can be used as a device to enable simple customization without fasteners or special tools by just sliding it into the spot. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO SCALE FITS? We have great interest from customers for an open-source set of data that allows for personalization. FITS was designed to meet this purpose.Essentially, it is parts that you can slide into the Ford Maverick that make it more customizable. Some of these parts are available for purchase through Ford, and many of them can be 3D printed with the slot geometry that Ford will be sharing with the QR code in the Maverick's FLEXBED. This means you can download the FITSdata from our website and make your own parts in your own time and print out whatever accessories you like. This could potentially be an open platform for people to share what they have created or even sell and make a small business out of. Ford accessories might start making special elements down the road based on the customer needs. Moving forward, more people would want to customize and individualize their vehicles. We also hope to trigger interest with the initial set of things we have made. With the 3D printing aspect of it, users can make their own special elements for customization at home. That is what we are stretching for.TO WHAT EXTENT IS THIS CUSTOMIZABLE?The sky is the limit on color choice if you can imagine printing your own or even have a file that can be sent to a company to print for you. This opens up doors for the user to make almost any pallet they like or want. The user can also choose to rubberize the pieces on the instrument panel or 3D print in any color or customize storage pockets and bends, or even put their name and logo to make your own custom accessory.This is just the beginning of something we have created in our Ford catalog, and as an interior designer, I am keen to take it to other places too. We are looking at all kinds of possibilities for customization and cargo management systems.WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE COMPANY AS WELL AS THE DESIGNING INDUSTRY AT LARGE?We at Ford have a vision of being customer-focused. We pay attention to how people use the products and make sure to give the user the feeling when they are inside a Ford interior- that we thought of them and how they would use that interior. That is what we are passionate about.Secondly, Ford has always been very purposeful and ingenious with the products they bring to the market. We keep pushing from our end what we can do better for our consumers. We believe in doing more with less and being smart and intelligent about applying and presenting our molded technologies and plastics to the customer. FITS slots are a good example of that, where a simple item, but with a very specific shape, helps lock things in as it's molded right into the geometry of the plastic. It is low cost, simple, and easy to do, and manage technically but allows the customer to customize their vehicle and be flexible with the storage space more than ever before. We also acknowledge the fact that we are building a platform for people to be creative. That is really important, especially in the truck space, because truck people tend to be makers for doers and think of a product or service from that viewpoint. Products for them have got to be purposeful and intentional, which was a big part of how we sorted through Maverick interior designs. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS LOOKING TO EMBARK ON THE SAME JOURNEY AS YOU HAVE?I would advise them to keep an open mind. They should be able to think laterally and creatively. What is important, especially in the automotive sector, is to take inspiration from what is outside of the automotive space. I also teach transportation design at CCS in Detroit. So whenever I am with students, I always remind them that inspiration can come from anywhere. It is also critical to find the right education path for you. For the growth of the designer in you, it's important to challenge yourself and keep your eyes open to different inspirations outside of the product you are building. The best ideas come from an amalgamation of two existing things put in a new way. There are times when all kinds of other things like fashion and architecture serve as kernels of ideas that bring out a new perspective. So be alert to take in the cultural input and convert it into shapes and forms people like to look at and, at the same time, serve the purpose also. You can download the FITS app from our website and make your own parts in your own time and print out whatever accessories you like
< Page 9 | Page 11 >