Under the terms of the six-year partnership, Ford named Google as its preferred cloud provider and, starting in 2023, millions of Ford and Lincoln vehicles will operate using Android Auto (as we saw in Polestar 2) with apps from the Google, as Assistant and Maps, integrated in the infotainment system. But don’t worry iPhone owners, Ford will continue to support Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa functionality going forward.
The two companies also plan to establish a collaborative working group, called Team Upshift, which will work to “push the boundaries of modernization, unlocking personalized customer experiences and generating disruptive data-based opportunities. For example, we will create new retail experiences for customers when purchasing a vehicle, ”said McClelland.
“There are a number of different applications, including modernizing product development, improving manufacturing and supply chain management, using computer vision, AI for employee training, inspecting equipment on the assembly line,” explained Kurian. “We are also working together to create new business models for data – real-time alerts to consumers about maintenance requests or trading alerts.”
The Upshift team will work with third-party app makers to develop additional driver-oriented services and informative entertainment for Ford’s Android vehicles. “We also have the mechanism to get data from the cars,” explained McClelland. “It can also enter the analytical system in the cloud and provide resources – for example, helping the consumer to detect when to bring his car for service guarantees.” However, McClelland clarified that no personal data collected from drivers will be made available to third-party developers.
“As soon as you have a platform that allows you to get data and analyze it,” he continued. “There are many very simple yet transformative experiences that you can offer drivers: for example, helping them when they need to schedule a service appointment with the dealership or helping them buy better cars by personalizing the shopping experiences.”