Core77

Ford's Foot-Activated Liftgates

By Rain Noe - May 20, 2013

in Cars

It's been over a year since Ford has incorporated foot-activated tailgates into their cars, and we're hoping by now some of you have direct experience with them. (The bulk of Core77 editorial staff is a bike-riding, subway-catching, sneaker-treading lot.) Ford designers' simple observation that many people approach their trunk with both hands full, and their incorporation of a feature that pops the trunk open by waving your foot under the bumper, is a welcome one. But for those of you actually living with one of these cars, how is it in practice?

For those of you who've not yet heard of this, the way it works is a sensor on the car detects when someone with the key fob on their person is in proximity. It then enables a laser sensor under the rear bumper to read when a foot breaks the beam, and that opens or closes the trunk. Observe:

But if we look at this less-slickly edited video...

...we see the user must stand quite close to get their foot under the bumper, and must then back up to get out of the way of the swinging door. This is fine for most of us able-bodied--and certainly an improvement over having to bear-hug your package in an effort to get a hand free--but I'm wondering how this goes over with, say, an elderly person. Anyone with a 2013 Escape, C-Max or Kuga care to sound off?

We're also hoping to see other automakers follow suit and create hands-free interfaces of their own designs. We like seeing the stage of design evolution where a lot of different-thinking bodies throw their ideas at the wall to see what sticks.

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m powers

9 years ago

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Our E61 has the button-only style power gate. At 9 years old it works intermittently. So, great feature for the first owner, not so much for 2nd, 3rd & on.

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Lucas

11 years ago

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In my car I actually had to kick the rear bumper to open the back door... If this doesn't work forsome reason and you're a little crossed, I bet the same will happen.
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Cristina

11 years ago

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Opel did it some years before, they put it on the new Meriva. Also then, I do not think it was so revolutionary either.
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carl

11 years ago

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Steve, regarding not using his hands once he put stuff in the car: most cars with power lift gates have push-button closing, too. most electronic lift gates won't allow you to close the gate manually with your hands, as it's under control of the system (with high torque closing motors, hydraulic systems, etc). i know this because i once opened a lift gate of a motorized system, and for the life of me could not close it manually, trying to pull down on it with all my might. then a dealer representative came by and said "Oh, you just push a button." haha
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James Patrick

11 years ago

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I'm glad to see Core77 writers being more critical of new designs.
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Jeremy Hess

11 years ago

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My wife and I just bought a new Ford Escape with this technology. I have to admit that I was slightly skeptical, but have come to love it couple of weeks. Trips to the grocery store are much easier now that I'm not trying to get my key fob out with 5 bags of groceries in each hand. The true test will be this winter when I go up to the ski resorts every weekend.

Aaron, the doors don't close if your feet are moving under the sensor while you're in the back. To activate the lift gate you have to do a specific type of motion.
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Aaron

11 years ago

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Would be great if they could integrate this into the side doors too.
Do you know how hard it is to get the door open with a wriggly 2 yr old in the middle of a storm?
Also, wouldn't the door close on you if you are loading it and you move your feet around? Or do you have to wave your foot really close to the bumper?
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Steve Portigal

11 years ago

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Hmm - in the third video why didn't he use his now-free hands to close the gate? That seems easier, ergonomically? At least from watching it.

I wonder in general about the balance challenges as you have to shift your weight to get a free foot. Your feet are doing work, too!

Overall, though, fantastic to have options and great work by Ford!
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Len

11 years ago

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Expect the next generation to have the sensor off to the side?

I wonder how well these things work in a Canadian climate, when there is a coating of snow/slush/dirt all over the bottom of the car.
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