The successful trial of a digital Ford Pro solution, which gives AA drivers control of ancillary equipment from the vehicle’s touchscreen, has led to a fleet deal for more than 700 Transit Customs.

They will all be equipped with Ford Pro’s digital solutions, including 15 new electric E-Transit Custom models and 15 Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) models that are part of the deal.

The Ford Pro Upfit Integration System (UIS) integrates the control of specialist tools and equipment into the van’s factory-fitted 13‑inch display, enabling patrols to activate everything from LED hazard beacons to breakdown diagnostics, jump-start connection points and towing equipment from the touchscreen.

Ford can also see how the driver is using the equipment which can be fed back to the AA.

Previously, the AA had a Toughbook tablet mounted in the back which had the details of the job allocation and routing which got relayed to the dashboard screen.

The new system completely replaces this system and the associated costs of it initially being fitted and then removing it at defleet.  

Integrating controls into the Transit Custom’s touchscreen means the AA no longer needs to combine equipment from 11 different companies.

“In the past, customers with specialist conversions could end up with lots of extra switches and wiring”, said Ryan Wells, special vehicles at Ford Pro Europe.

“The Ford Pro Upfit Integration System integrates everything into Transit Custom’s 13‑inch display, so now drivers can control the full vehicle upfit using just the touchscreen.”

Removing the extra screens, switches and mounting brackets required for individually-sourced control units – as well as the requirement to drill holes in the interior to fit them – also makes the cabin space a neater and more pleasant environment, it says.

The AA told Fleet News that Ford is doing the conversions itself, with no third-party supplier involved, including the racking, which will save on any vehicle downtime.

“Having a system that allows our patrols to operate crucial systems from one interface is ideal for us,” said Tony Rich, public relations manager at the AA.

“It also needs to be intuitive and require minimal touch, because it’s essential that our patrols are not distracted while they’re driving.

“The Upfit Integration System has allowed us to tick all those boxes.”

The AA Transit Custom trial vehicle also featured Ford Pro's new Sync integration module. This module made it possible to connect a third-party touchscreen display located in the load area – used to access parts information and other AA systems – and duplicate that display on the Transit Custom’s screen, so that patrols can access the systems from the cabin.

Full integration of specialist equipment electronics into the vehicle’s control systems allowed it to set its own logic for operation, for example only allowing jump leads to be activated when the vehicle is in neutral with the parking brake engaged.

The AA’s team describe using the new systems

Ford has supported the UK-based motoring organisation to provide roadside assistance to members for approximately half a century and now.

The AA provides roadside assistance to more than 14 million members in the UK. The motoring organisation has a history of innovation that includes pioneering roadside petrol pumps, road signs and mobile patrols in the 1920s.

Originally motorcycles, those mobile patrols nowadays comprise a fleet of more than 2,700 vehicles including Ford Pro Transits