Ford Chimes In

Many electronic features in today's vehicles come with their own audio alerts. But as new functions are added, their chimes, bells and pings make it increasingly difficult for drivers to distinguish among devices or notice important safety warnings.

The challenge is growing as the usual bongs to warn drivers about open doors, unfastened seatbelts and lights left on are joined by audio alerts for timers, incoming text messages, blind spot detection and more.

Enter Ford Motor Co.'s newly named vehicle harmony team. A part of the Vehicle Engineering Div., its mission is to break through the clutter and make audio alerts intuitive and instantly identifiable.

The solution, Ford says, is to consider the vehicle in its entirety instead of simply adding a new sound, warning light or haptic feedback for each new device. The Dearborn, Mich.-based harmony team also works with its counterparts at Ford's facilities in Asia, Europe and South America to better coordinate such functions on a global basis.