Ford Motor Company has introduced a software solution to fight the spread of COVID-19 within law enforcement agencies. According to Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's chief product development and purchasing officer, the company looked at what it had available to help and ultimately "turned the vehicle's powertrain and heat control systems into a virus neutralizer."

Ford has designed a new heated software enhancement to pilot with its Police Interceptor Utility – one that law enforcement agencies across the country can utilize to help reduce the footprint of the COVID-19 virus. Source: Ford MediaThis new smart technology is now available for all 2013 through 2019 Police Interceptor Utility vehicles, which covers the majority of these vehicles currently in use by first responders, said Stephen Tyler, Ford police brand marketing manager.

The idea behind the software is to heat the interior of the vehicle in order to inactivate any viruses inside. In this case, the powertrain and the climate control systems automatically raise the temperature in the passenger compartment above 133° F for 15 minutes in order to disinfect vehicle touchpoints. The software warms the engine while the heater and fan operate on high. The software monitors the interior temperatures until the optimal level is reached and maintains that temperature for the necessary time.

The hazard lights and taillights indicate that the operation is in progress. The lights flash in a preset pattern when the heating process begins and change when the cool-down is complete. Heating the compartment reaches areas that may be missed by manual or other disinfecting methods and does not require the use of chemical disinfectants.

The company conducted software operational trials using vehicles owned by the New York City Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, Michigan State Police, Massachusetts State Police, Boardman Township Police Department in Ohio and Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.

“Law enforcement officers are being dispatched as emergency responders in some cases where ambulances may not be available,” said Tyler. “During one trip, officers may be transporting a coronavirus patient to a hospital, while another trip may involve an occupant who may be asymptomatic.”

The heating software is intended for use in conjunction with other CDC-recommended cleaning methods to ensure that vehicles are properly disinfected between deployments. Law enforcement departments can have their own service centers install the software or work with local dealers.

The appropriate temperature and duration to inactivate COVID-19 were determined through close collaboration between Ford and The Ohio State University and are applicable to factory-built Police Interceptor Utility vehicles. According to Ford, "Ambient temperature, installation of partitions or other upfit equipment may impede temperatures from reaching the recommended threshold." The company will continue to work on bringing this software capability to other Ford police vehicles.