As reported by Ford
ANN ARBOR, Mich.,– Students at the University of Michigan have defined their vision for the future of in-car connectivity – a future that includes applications combining social networks, GPS location awareness, and real-time vehicle data in ways that help drivers get where they want to go efficiently, while having fun along the way.
The experimental apps were developed by students who took part in a 12-week course, Cloud Computing in the Commute, at the university. The course, initiated by Ford Research & Advanced Engineering, prototyped social networking and transportation apps as part of a larger Ford initiative called “American Journey 2.0,” a joint open innovation research project involving Microsoft and Intel, offering students the chance to innovate the future of the in-car experience.
“We consider the collaboration between Ford and the University of Michigan a model for innovation and open collaboration, and it’s an exciting way to help shape tomorrow’s work force,” said Venkatesh Prasad, group and technical leader of the Infotronics team in Ford Research & Advanced Engineering. “Our philosophy is to constantly seek new channels of innovation, and the opportunity to share Ford’s platform and expertise in a university environment has been invaluable.”
In the class, the students explored and built applications based on access to Ford’s developmental application platform built on Windows 7 and Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio, dubbed “Fiestaware,” that enabled them to harness the power of social networks that safely and responsibly connect to the cloud. The software system is the first of its kind, and provides access to vehicle performance data, networking services, voice recognition, social networking tools and other data, as well as the Windows Azure cloud services platform. Students in the class were able to use the platform to conceptualize and build a new class of applications as class projects.
As part of the course, students were encouraged to explore the potential of cloud computing and natural user interfaces including voice and touch in the car. Defined as Web-based computing using services and software accessed over the Internet, rather than physically installed on a device, cloud computing is becoming a major catalyst driving development of new applications. Users are able to access cloud-based applications and process data remotely via their Internet data plan across a variety of devices, without requiring massive amounts of processing power and data storage.
ANN ARBOR, Mich.,– Students at the University of Michigan have defined their vision for the future of in-car connectivity – a future that includes applications combining social networks, GPS location awareness, and real-time vehicle data in ways that help drivers get where they want to go efficiently, while having fun along the way.
 |
| As part of a research course initiated by Ford, "Cloud Computing in the Commute," University of Michigan students developed apps for in-car use providing a look at the potential for a future socially-connected vehicle experience.(Photo: Ford) |
The experimental apps were developed by students who took part in a 12-week course, Cloud Computing in the Commute, at the university. The course, initiated by Ford Research & Advanced Engineering, prototyped social networking and transportation apps as part of a larger Ford initiative called “American Journey 2.0,” a joint open innovation research project involving Microsoft and Intel, offering students the chance to innovate the future of the in-car experience.
“We consider the collaboration between Ford and the University of Michigan a model for innovation and open collaboration, and it’s an exciting way to help shape tomorrow’s work force,” said Venkatesh Prasad, group and technical leader of the Infotronics team in Ford Research & Advanced Engineering. “Our philosophy is to constantly seek new channels of innovation, and the opportunity to share Ford’s platform and expertise in a university environment has been invaluable.”
In the class, the students explored and built applications based on access to Ford’s developmental application platform built on Windows 7 and Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio, dubbed “Fiestaware,” that enabled them to harness the power of social networks that safely and responsibly connect to the cloud. The software system is the first of its kind, and provides access to vehicle performance data, networking services, voice recognition, social networking tools and other data, as well as the Windows Azure cloud services platform. Students in the class were able to use the platform to conceptualize and build a new class of applications as class projects.
As part of the course, students were encouraged to explore the potential of cloud computing and natural user interfaces including voice and touch in the car. Defined as Web-based computing using services and software accessed over the Internet, rather than physically installed on a device, cloud computing is becoming a major catalyst driving development of new applications. Users are able to access cloud-based applications and process data remotely via their Internet data plan across a variety of devices, without requiring massive amounts of processing power and data storage.
 |
| Photo: Ford |