Ford aims to keep pedestrians connected with the introduction of the Smart Bench scheme, in conjunction with start-up company Strawberry Energy.
Using solar power to provide charge for phones, tablets and other devices, the bench also comes as a Wi-Fi hotspot so people can stay in touch while taking a break.
As the scheme is first being introduced in London, the benches also come with monitoring equipment that track noise levels, carbon dioxide, humidity and temperature, with all that information available to authorities and the public for free. That data can then be used to influence future policies and projects.
Ford has doubled the amount of benches Strawberry Energy had placed around London with 20, and could look to roll more out in the near-future.
Sarah-Jayne Williams, Ford Smart Mobility’s Europe director, said: “At Ford, we believe the city of tomorrow should make people feel happy, safe and connected, so we’re looking at how streets could be designed to serve a full range of activities: walking, biking, driving, connecting with others, and of course, business and services that support our economies.
“Walking, along with driving and riding public transport, is part of how people get around in a city like London and Ford Smart Benches complement perfectly the increasingly connected lives we now lead.”
Strawberry Energy founder and CEO Miloš Milisavljević added: “Whether for fitness, convenience, or simply the pleasure of being outdoors, many people enjoy walking, but dread being unable to access maps, social media, and news sites while on the move.
“Ford Smart Benches in Islington, Lewisham and Southwark will increasingly help ensure that walking will continue to be a key part of how Londoners enjoy their city.”