DEARBORN, Michigan - Innovations in automotive technology are taking place at an ever-increasing pace, and simply trying to keep abreast is a job in itself. So recently, together with other selected media and several Ford employees from throughout North America, I was invited to Ford’s Dearborn facility to discover the company’s progress, and what the future holds in store for Ford customers.
AppLink
Now, although it’s been just a few months since the company launched its AppLink software, which links smartphone technology with Ford’s voice-activated SYNC system, this is now rapidly expanding and will be available on 10 Ford vehicles for the 2012 model year. The number of SYNC app developers is also growing and there are now over 2,500 looking to create apps for Ford vehicles through its Software Development Kit (SDK). To bring this new era of connectivity together, the company’s global Connected Services Solutions Organization is expected to increase fourfold over the next four years, with much of this taking place within the U.S.
Most recently, Stitcher officially joined the fold, launching its SYNC-enabled app in the Apple App Store for iPhone users. Android users are not far behind for Stitcher, with a SYNC-enabled version of the app set to launch later this summer.
Currently available SYNC-enabled apps:
Pandora (Internet radio)
Apple iOS: Available now from Apple App Store (V3.1.6 or higher)
Android: Available now from Android Market (V1.5.3 or higher)
BlackBerry: Available now from BlackBerry App World (Version 1.1.6 or higher)
Stitcher (Internet radio)
Apple iOS: Available now from Apple App Store (V3.1.6 or higher)
Android: Coming summer 2011
OpenBeak (Mobile client for posting Twitter updates)
BlackBerry: Available now from BlackBerry App World (Version 1.4 or higher)
Unfortunately, AppLink is currently unavailable to Ford owners here in Canada, but we do expect this to change in the near future.
Ford and Nuance Collaborate
Ford recently teamed up with Nuance Communications, a leader in voice and language technology, to assist with improving the voice recognition capabilities of Ford’s SYNC system. The current system understands more than 10,000 first-level commands, up from 100 with the first-generation SYNC system, and this new collaboration should steadily improve on these numbers.
What this means in simple terms, is if you wish to listen to Lady Gaga, instead of giving a specific command, you can now use any number of phrases, such as “play Lady Gaga music”, “Lady Gaga track 5” or perhaps simply, “I want to hear a Lady Gaga song” and the system will attempt to comprehend what you’re saying by using common words and phrases stored in its database. Should the system not understand your requirements, it will select certain words and respond by coaching you down the correct command pathway.
Ford’s Rear Inflatable Seat Belt
This industry first, which was initially introduced on the 2011 Ford Explorer, will be offered on the Ford Flex and Lincoln vehicles starting next Summer. This advanced restraint system which was designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers has been hailed in the industry as a breakthrough in rear passenger safety.
Customer response to this innovative feature has been impressive, and data shows that approximately 40% of Explorer buyers ordered their vehicles with the rear inflatable belts. As the Ford Flex tends to attract similar family buyers, it makes perfect sense that it would join the list of vehicles benefiting, and I think we can expect to see other family vehicles joining the line-up in the near future.
These are just a sampling of what was showcased at the Ford Technology conference. To read more about what’s in store for Ford customers, stay tuned to Auto123.com next week, as we’ll be bringing you more.
AppLink
Now, although it’s been just a few months since the company launched its AppLink software, which links smartphone technology with Ford’s voice-activated SYNC system, this is now rapidly expanding and will be available on 10 Ford vehicles for the 2012 model year. The number of SYNC app developers is also growing and there are now over 2,500 looking to create apps for Ford vehicles through its Software Development Kit (SDK). To bring this new era of connectivity together, the company’s global Connected Services Solutions Organization is expected to increase fourfold over the next four years, with much of this taking place within the U.S.
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| Photo: Ford |
Most recently, Stitcher officially joined the fold, launching its SYNC-enabled app in the Apple App Store for iPhone users. Android users are not far behind for Stitcher, with a SYNC-enabled version of the app set to launch later this summer.
Currently available SYNC-enabled apps:
Pandora (Internet radio)
Apple iOS: Available now from Apple App Store (V3.1.6 or higher)
Android: Available now from Android Market (V1.5.3 or higher)
BlackBerry: Available now from BlackBerry App World (Version 1.1.6 or higher)
Stitcher (Internet radio)
Apple iOS: Available now from Apple App Store (V3.1.6 or higher)
Android: Coming summer 2011
OpenBeak (Mobile client for posting Twitter updates)
BlackBerry: Available now from BlackBerry App World (Version 1.4 or higher)
Unfortunately, AppLink is currently unavailable to Ford owners here in Canada, but we do expect this to change in the near future.
Ford and Nuance Collaborate
Ford recently teamed up with Nuance Communications, a leader in voice and language technology, to assist with improving the voice recognition capabilities of Ford’s SYNC system. The current system understands more than 10,000 first-level commands, up from 100 with the first-generation SYNC system, and this new collaboration should steadily improve on these numbers.
What this means in simple terms, is if you wish to listen to Lady Gaga, instead of giving a specific command, you can now use any number of phrases, such as “play Lady Gaga music”, “Lady Gaga track 5” or perhaps simply, “I want to hear a Lady Gaga song” and the system will attempt to comprehend what you’re saying by using common words and phrases stored in its database. Should the system not understand your requirements, it will select certain words and respond by coaching you down the correct command pathway.
Ford’s Rear Inflatable Seat Belt
This industry first, which was initially introduced on the 2011 Ford Explorer, will be offered on the Ford Flex and Lincoln vehicles starting next Summer. This advanced restraint system which was designed to help reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers has been hailed in the industry as a breakthrough in rear passenger safety.
Customer response to this innovative feature has been impressive, and data shows that approximately 40% of Explorer buyers ordered their vehicles with the rear inflatable belts. As the Ford Flex tends to attract similar family buyers, it makes perfect sense that it would join the list of vehicles benefiting, and I think we can expect to see other family vehicles joining the line-up in the near future.
These are just a sampling of what was showcased at the Ford Technology conference. To read more about what’s in store for Ford customers, stay tuned to Auto123.com next week, as we’ll be bringing you more.