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Launched in the fall
of 2007, Ford SYNC’s voice controlled communications and connectivity system
has been installed on more than 3.5 million cars, trucks and crossovers.
Co-developed with Microsoft on their Windows Embedded Automotive software
platform, SYNC allows customers to bring digital media players and Bluetooth
enabled mobile phones into their vehicles and operate the devices via voice
commands. Voice commands are operated via Nuance Communication’s voice
recognition technology and/or the steering wheel’s redundant audio controls.
Sync connects with the vast majority of makes and models of Bluetooth devices
across network service providers.
With a global
launch slated for 2012, SYNC voice recognition will recognize over 20
languages. Standard SYNC features include USB port for digital media players
with voice activated access, audible text message read back, Bluetooth
connectivity and streaming audio. With the media capability also comes 911
Assist, Vehicle Health Reporting, Traffic and Directions and an App Marketplace
called AppLink where Android, Blackberry and Apple smart phone compatible apps
are all enabled.
Ford spends a
great deal of time educating dealers, consumers, manufacturers and distributors
about the Ford SYNC. Ford dealers also conduct “SYNC My Ride” personalized
training sessions for new customers, offering them the most convenient time for
1:1 hands-on demonstration.”
IEEE VTS Mobile World covered In-Vehicle-Infotainment (IVI) in their October issue and
Alan Hall, Communications Manager of Technology, Research & Innovation at
Ford Motor Company shares, “Consumers are very interested in having hands-free,
voice-activated technology in their cars. SYNC is perfectly timed to meet the
consumer trend of wireless and mobile technologies and is poised to take
advantage of it.”
SYNC’s second
generation evolution leads into an operating system and driver interface known
as MyFord Touch. A holistic approach to the driver interface that replaces many
of the traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges with clear, colorful LCD
screens and intuitive 5-way button controls on the steering wheel. Mr. Hall
continues, “Our focus is the consumer, SYNC and other technologies have helped
Ford differentiate our products and build brand recognition.” When asked about
the future of SYNC and other IVI applications, Alan states that Ford is
dedicated to “continuing to make SYNC even more intuitive, easy and convenient
for our customers to use.”
Sources:
http://media.ford.com/mini_sites/10031/MyFord/
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