As reported by Ford
Ford’s advanced new in-vehicle system – MyFord Touch™ – offers an array of real-time information on fuel economy performance that can coach drivers to get more miles to the gallon and save on fuel costs. In addition, MyFord Touch’s map-based navigation system offers an Eco-Route option that quickly calculates the most fuel efficient route a driver can take to get from A to B.
MyFord Touch is the latest innovation from Ford to help drivers optimize fuel economy. It builds on the fuel efficiency “coaching” concept Ford pioneered on its SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide cluster for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid as well as the all-new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The system provides real-time fuel economy data and promotes fuel-efficient driving by showing a graphic of growing leaves and flowers.
“We have learned that when we provide drivers the information and tools in an interactive and entertaining way, they want to drive more fuel efficiently,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of Global Electrical and Electronics Systems Engineering. “MyFord Touch provides an unprecedented level of information and interaction so drivers can make the choice to be more fuel efficient.”
The green road home
When a driver provides a destination to the navigation system, MyFord Touch accesses historical and real-time traffic data as well as posted speed information to calculate three navigation options: Fastest, Shortest and Eco-Route.
Eco-Route is not necessarily the fastest or shortest route but is the most fuel efficient. Typically, it charts a course that avoids congested freeways while maximizing the use of major roads where the driver can maintain an efficient rate of speed. When Ford of Europe engineers tested the feature, they achieved up to a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy using the Eco-Route.
“When drivers use Eco-Route – particularly in combination with MyFord Touch’s fuel-economy feedback and fuel-efficient driving techniques – they can achieve a noticeable increase in fuel efficiency,” said Jennifer Brace-Mezigian, Ford user interface design engineer.
In addition to its Eco-Route feature, MyFord Touch enables drivers to monitor and track their vehicle’s real-time fuel economy performance and mile-per-gallon averages for the past five, 10 and 30 minutes in the form of a bar chart next to the fuel gauge on the display. Drivers can customize the amount of information provided to meet their needs and hone their eco-driving skills over time.
“MyFord Touch not only gives drivers information they can use to improve their driving habits, but also expands on that capability by engaging the navigation system to give drivers a variety of options,” Brace-Mezigian said. “The benefits will be greater because MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch will be widely available in the future.”
Ford’s advanced new in-vehicle system – MyFord Touch™ – offers an array of real-time information on fuel economy performance that can coach drivers to get more miles to the gallon and save on fuel costs. In addition, MyFord Touch’s map-based navigation system offers an Eco-Route option that quickly calculates the most fuel efficient route a driver can take to get from A to B.
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| Photo: Ford |
MyFord Touch is the latest innovation from Ford to help drivers optimize fuel economy. It builds on the fuel efficiency “coaching” concept Ford pioneered on its SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide cluster for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid as well as the all-new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The system provides real-time fuel economy data and promotes fuel-efficient driving by showing a graphic of growing leaves and flowers.
“We have learned that when we provide drivers the information and tools in an interactive and entertaining way, they want to drive more fuel efficiently,” said Jim Buczkowski, director of Global Electrical and Electronics Systems Engineering. “MyFord Touch provides an unprecedented level of information and interaction so drivers can make the choice to be more fuel efficient.”
The green road home
When a driver provides a destination to the navigation system, MyFord Touch accesses historical and real-time traffic data as well as posted speed information to calculate three navigation options: Fastest, Shortest and Eco-Route.
Eco-Route is not necessarily the fastest or shortest route but is the most fuel efficient. Typically, it charts a course that avoids congested freeways while maximizing the use of major roads where the driver can maintain an efficient rate of speed. When Ford of Europe engineers tested the feature, they achieved up to a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy using the Eco-Route.
“When drivers use Eco-Route – particularly in combination with MyFord Touch’s fuel-economy feedback and fuel-efficient driving techniques – they can achieve a noticeable increase in fuel efficiency,” said Jennifer Brace-Mezigian, Ford user interface design engineer.
In addition to its Eco-Route feature, MyFord Touch enables drivers to monitor and track their vehicle’s real-time fuel economy performance and mile-per-gallon averages for the past five, 10 and 30 minutes in the form of a bar chart next to the fuel gauge on the display. Drivers can customize the amount of information provided to meet their needs and hone their eco-driving skills over time.
“MyFord Touch not only gives drivers information they can use to improve their driving habits, but also expands on that capability by engaging the navigation system to give drivers a variety of options,” Brace-Mezigian said. “The benefits will be greater because MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch will be widely available in the future.”