Earlier this week, the Ford Motor Company and online tech juggernaut Google announced a unique, first-of-its-kind partnership that will strategically accelerate Ford’s connected vehicle development and experience.
In addition, Ford has named Google Cloud as its preferred cloud provider going forward, a move that leverages Google’s world-class expertise in data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Beginning in 2023, millions of future Ford and Lincoln vehicles will be powered by Android, with multiple built-in Google apps and services.
To drive this innovation, Ford and Google are establishing a new collaboration group known as Team Upshift. This group will leverage the specific talents and expertise of both companies in order to push the boundaries of Ford’s transformation, unlock personalized consumer experiences, and drive disruptive, data-driven opportunities. The collaboration is expected to include anything from new retail experiences, new data-based ownership offers, and much more.
“As Ford continues the most profound transformation in our history with electrification, connectivity and self-driving, Google and Ford coming together establishes an innovation powerhouse truly able to deliver a superior experience for our customers and modernize our business,” said Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford.
“From the first moving assembly line to the latest driver-assist technology, Ford has set the pace of innovation for the automotive industry for nearly 120 years,” said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet.
“We’re proud to partner to apply the best of Google’s AI, data analytics, compute and cloud platforms to help transform Ford's business and build automotive technologies that keep people safe and connected on the road.”
Through the use of Google Cloud, Ford plans on:
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Further improve customer experiences for customers with differentiated technology and personalized services;
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Accelerate modernization of product development, manufacturing and supply chain management, including exploration of using vision AI for manufacturing employee training and even more reliable plant equipment performance;
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Fast track the implementation of data-driven business models resulting in customers receiving real-time notices such as maintenance requests or trade-in alerts.
Through the use of exclusive built-in Google-powered apps, navigation, and voice recognition, the partnership will enable the following:
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With Google Assistant, drivers can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, by getting things done with just their voice.
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With Google Maps as the vehicles’ primary navigation, drivers can reach their destination faster with information on real-time traffic, automatic rerouting, lane guidance and more.
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With Google Play, drivers will have access to their favorite apps for listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks and more. These apps are optimized and integrated for in-vehicle use.
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Android in the car also enables Ford and third-party developers to build apps that provide a constantly improving and ever-more-personalized ownership experience.
“We are obsessed with creating must-have, distinctively Ford products and services,” said Farley. “This integration will unleash our teams to innovate for Ford and Lincoln customers while seamlessly providing access to Google’s world-class apps and services.”
The future of Ford is bound for advanced technological greatness; but even now, Ford vehicles are among the most advanced and modern on the road! Click here to check out our available inventory of Ford’s newest models right here at Dunphy Ford in Philadelphia!
