Ford Syncs with More Tech Partners

Ford Motor Co. this week announced partnerships with Amazon.com, Samsung Electronics and Sygic for services that will be integrated with the carmaker’s latest Sync 3 voice-activated infotainment system.

Ford says the features, which will be launched on some 2018 model-year vehicles later this year, will enable motorists to stay connected with their smartphones and other devices while minimizing driver distraction.

The partnership with Amazon will let motorists access certain vehicle functions from their homes using the tech company’s Alexa voice-activated, cloud-based speaker system. BMW and Hyundai’s Genesis luxury division began offering integration with Alexa last year.

Ford is partnering with Samsung to allow users who own Samsung Gear S2 or S3 smartwatches to integrate their devices with Sync-equipped models to help find parked cars and receive audible alerts to keep them attentive while driving. After parking and shutting off a vehicle, drivers will receive a prompt to note their location in a multi-level parking garage or they can automatically log a GPS location.

Drivers also can program the smartwatch to provide chimes and/or voice alerts at pre-set intervals to help them stay alert. Future versions of the app also will be able to vibrate the watch.

The deal with Sygic, a Slovakian-based navigation company, will enable users to link a smartphone to Sync 3 interfaces to set destinations and access turn-by-turn directions. Once a phone is paired through a USB cable, control of the app is projected onto an in-vehicle display. Users also can use voice controls.

Sygic has more than 150 million users globally. Its app, which works with iOS and Android smartphones, is available in more than 200 countries and 40 languages.

Google Inc.’s Android Auto and Apple Inc.’s CarPlay also allow drivers to use navigation apps on the vehicle screen. But users of these systems are limited to either Google Maps or Apple Maps.

Ford is demonstrating the systems this week in a Fusion Hybrid sedan at CES in Las Vegas. The vehicle also is equipped with automated driving technologies and a 4G LTE wi-fi hotspot that enables as many as 10 devices to connect with the internet. Other features include apps that can share vehicle data with insurance providers to reduce premiums or automatically charge credit cards after refueling at participating service station.