Ford's popular new Sync system is an all in one feature that allows drivers to control a variety of wireless products from a simple, voice-commanded interface. Sync can play music, read incoming text messages and even dial phone calls with little more than a button press and a quick voice command.
The award-winning system was introduced towards the end of the 2007 calendar year. Ford engineers designed it to be software-upgradeable, so increased future functionality can be added with a quick and simple data upgrade.
The first such upgrade is nearing launch- and according to the automaker, a new feature called 911-assist will be available to put owners in contact with emergency services quickly at the first sign of an airbag deployment. Similar in functionality to GM's OnStar system, 911-assist requires no monthly fee.
It uses the driver's cell phone to dial 911 after a 10-second opt-out period after an impact. A pre-recorded message is played to the 911 operator, after which point the passenger(s) are able to communicate directly. The 911-assist feature will be available in Canada in 2009.
A second functional upgrade is the ability of Sync to generate vehicle health reports (VHR) with a few simple voice commands. Requesting a VHR sends information from vehicle systems to Ford through the drivers phone, after which point an email or text-message is sent back to help keep them on top of maintenance needs. It's not clear when this upgrade will come to Canada.
"From the start, we pursued an updatable software solution with SYNC, using the consumer electronics business as our model," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. "The ability to add functionality and update the system to work with new devices is what makes SYNC unique in the industry right now. It is a strategy that will benefit our customers over time by ensuring their systems do not become outdated."
Ford Sync will be available in just about every Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle later this year.
photo:Ford
The award-winning system was introduced towards the end of the 2007 calendar year. Ford engineers designed it to be software-upgradeable, so increased future functionality can be added with a quick and simple data upgrade.
The first such upgrade is nearing launch- and according to the automaker, a new feature called 911-assist will be available to put owners in contact with emergency services quickly at the first sign of an airbag deployment. Similar in functionality to GM's OnStar system, 911-assist requires no monthly fee.
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It uses the driver's cell phone to dial 911 after a 10-second opt-out period after an impact. A pre-recorded message is played to the 911 operator, after which point the passenger(s) are able to communicate directly. The 911-assist feature will be available in Canada in 2009.
A second functional upgrade is the ability of Sync to generate vehicle health reports (VHR) with a few simple voice commands. Requesting a VHR sends information from vehicle systems to Ford through the drivers phone, after which point an email or text-message is sent back to help keep them on top of maintenance needs. It's not clear when this upgrade will come to Canada.
"From the start, we pursued an updatable software solution with SYNC, using the consumer electronics business as our model," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. "The ability to add functionality and update the system to work with new devices is what makes SYNC unique in the industry right now. It is a strategy that will benefit our customers over time by ensuring their systems do not become outdated."
Ford Sync will be available in just about every Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle later this year.
photo:Ford