The Auto Writer

I tell you, I am bedazzled by all of the automotive technology coming online.

OnStar has been around since the 1990s while airbag technology continues to evolve to where it can now protect the knees and even help ease seatbelt burns incurred in an accident. Side impact avoidance is catching on and most cars now offer an optional rear back up camera unit.

SYNC Technology

Though Ford had trailed GM badly in the 911 assist/navigation help arena thanks to OnStar technology, the Blue Oval has been closing that gap since introducing its Microsoft SYNC program in 2008. SYNC has given Ford a viable horse in the race, but Ford isn’t stopping there.

Ford is introducing a “Send to SYNC” feature that will allow people to access Google Maps from home, work or wherever else they have connectivity and send that information to SYNC.

Paperless Directions

Said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected Services Solutions Organization, “Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age. With Send to SYNC, you can map a destination at home, at work – wherever you have connectivity – and when you get to your car, it already knows where you want to go. It’s convenient and it eliminates the waste and distraction of paper maps, conserving resources while helping drivers keep their eyes on the road.”

Yes, toss away your road atlas because now you’ll be able to view those directions on screen and avoid arguing with your spouse on the best way to fold maps. Take a road trip without the paper because everything you need is in the cloud.

Cloud Computing

According to Ford, the proprietary SYNC TDI application taps a customer’s mobile phone voice plan and the vehicle’s integrated GPS receiver to deliver location-based services, including driving directions or business searches, and on-demand information such as sport scores, headline news, local movie listings and stock prices.

Ford says that these new services, including the new Send to SYNC functionality, are cloud-based, which means that no vehicle updates are required. That means the service is available to all owners who have registered for TDI services through www.syncmyride.com.

The Google Maps ‘Send to SYNC’ capability will roll out later this month. As of this writing, Ford is the only automaker offering this capability without requiring a paid subscription to a telematics service. The automaker had announced previously the same feature for AOL’s MapQuest, which will launch later this year.

Source: Ford Motor Company