Ford to make navigation standard on MyFord, SYNC-equipped models
At the 2010 CES show today, Ford announced today that it will offer navigation as standard on all Ford vehicles with MyFord and SYNC – well, almost. Ford says that its new Secure Digital (SD) card based navigation requires no extra hardware upgrades. So all you’ll have to do is purchase an upgradeable Secure Digital (SD) card-based navigation, which features full graphical maps and turn-by-turn directions, eliminating the need for expensive navigation hardware.
While all Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC already have turn-by-turn directions available via the Traffic, Directions & Information application, the addition of MyFord and MyFord Touch driver connect technology will allow them to use the two 4.2-inch LCD screens built into the instrument panel and the 8-inch touch screen in the center stack to display basic turn-by-turn direction information.
The SD card navigation, supplied by TeleNav, will be offered as an option for MyFord Touch system. It will hold map database, voice data, 3D map graphics and enhanced point-of-interest information from Wcities.
The MyFord Touch system will debut on the 2011 Lincoln MKX at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show next week and will trickle down to the rest of Ford’s lineup.
Click through for the press release for more details.
MyFord Touch / MyLincoln Touch:
Press Release:
FORD MAKES NAVIGATION STANDARD ON MYFORD, SYNC-EQUIPPED VEHICLES
* Navigation features will be standard on all Ford vehicles with MyFordTM and SYNC® with no extra hardware upgrades needed, making Ford the first automaker to compete with offerings from the hand-held navigation market
* MyFord vehicle interface will have basic graphical turn-by-turn directions standard, with full map-based navigation delivered by Secure Digital (SD) card, eliminating the need for expensive, specialized navigation DVD drives and displays
* Map-based SD card navigation builds on current SYNC Traffic, Directions & Information application, which delivers personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather ““ without the need for built-in navigation systems
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2010 ““ Ford Motor Company is the first automaker to launch an affordable navigation system that competes with the ease and upgradability of hand-held navigation devices.
Starting in 2010, a convenient, upgradable Secure Digital (SD) card-based navigation system requiring no expensive hardware or “head unit” electronics upgrades will be available for all Ford vehicles equipped with MyFord TouchTM. Turn-by-turn directions with generic display icons and voice guidance will be standard on all Ford vehicles with MyFord and SYNC®, using the existing Traffic, Directions & Information application.
The new system marks the first time that an automaker has offered a system that competes with the ease of use and upgradability of hand-held navigation devices, without requiring the purchase of an expensive navigation system upgrade.
Map-based SD card navigation builds upon SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information. The current system leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a Bluetooth®-capable mobile phone to deliver personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather ““ without the need for a built-in navigation system.
Beginning with the Lincoln MKX crossover and its MyLincoln Touch system, which will be revealed at the North American International Auto Show next week, MyFord will begin to migrate across the company”s full product portfolio.
“Navigation systems have moved to the realm of automotive features consumers expect to find,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Harnessing the power of SYNC and the flexibility of our new MyFord system, we”re bringing an affordable, accessible, easy-to-update navigation system to millions of new consumers.”
The move will eliminate the need for expensive optional factory navigation systems, as well as “stick-on” aftermarket units that don”t integrate well with vehicle interiors and can prove to be distracting.
Two levels of navigation
All Ford vehicles with SYNC will have turn-by-turn directions available via the Traffic, Directions & Information application enabled by the user”s mobile phone. The addition of MyFord and MyFord Touch driver connect technology brings a new visual element to the basic navigation system, thanks to the display capabilities built in to the systems.
MyFord gives drivers two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens, one in the instrument panel and another in the center stack.
The MyFord Touch system brings two 4.2-inch LCD screens into the instrument panel and places an 8-inch touch screen in the center stack. Using the Traffic, Directions & Information application, either version of MyFord will be able to display turn arrows, street names and distance-to-turn information.
“The MyFord displays really bring turn-by-turn directions alive for the first time,” said Jim Buczkowski, Ford director of Electronics and Electrical Systems Engineering. “Instead of just a voice telling drivers where to turn, there will now be visual cues in the form of street names, directional arrows and distance markers integrated right into the MyFord instrument cluster display.”
Vehicles equipped with the upgraded MyFord Touch system already will have an 8-inch touch-screen display built into the center stack, which also is capable of displaying basic turn-by-turn direction information. SD card navigation, supplied by TeleNav, will be available as an option for the MyFord Touch system, activated by inserting the SD card in to the system”s built-in Media Hub. The SD card will contain the map database and voice data, 3D map graphics and enhanced point-of-interest (POI) information from Wcities.
“Storing navigation information on an SD card installed in the Media Hub will be simpler and less expensive for customers and suppliers alike,” said Jason Johnson, Ford user interface design engineer. “In the past, map data were stored on a hard drive and updates took a significant amount of time to load from DVD. To get a map update with MyFord, you simply take the old SD card out of the Media Hub and pop in a new one. It will be the first time an automaker will offer something that competes with personal navigation devices.”
Lowering costs while expanding accessibility
Because the navigation system is simply an application that runs on SYNC, the map database and POI information can be contained on a relatively inexpensive SD card. This new capability eliminates the costs of an internal hard drive storage system and DVD player for map updates.
“When we designed MyFord one of our driving principles was the democratization of technology,” said Kuzak. “Navigation doesn”t have to be a high-end luxury product. With MyFord, it will be standard on almost every Ford vehicle worldwide, and we believe it will help more people look forward to spending time behind the wheel of our vehicles.”
– By: Omar Rana
