- Ford adds Google Maps to its ‘Send to SYNC’ feature, allowing drivers to
send destinations from Google Maps to their Ford vehicle through the cloud-based
SYNC Traffic, Directions & Information (TDI) app - Drivers download destination information into the vehicle via their
Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones; the information will be processed into audible
turn-by-turn directions, eliminating the need to bring printed maps into the car
and helping drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road - ‘Send to SYNC’ launches later this month and will be available for existing
2010-11 models equipped with SYNC TDI; no extra hardware, software updates or
costs are required
Drivers who enjoy the convenience of Ford SYNC with Traffic, Directions
& Information (TDI) soon will be able to select a destination on Google Maps
and send it to their Ford, Lincoln or Mercury
vehicles.
‘Send to SYNC’ is a new capability added to the Ford Service Delivery
Network, the company’s cloud-based architecture, which provides a suite of
voice-activated services accessible through a customer’s mobile phone.
"Printing paper directions from a website is a relic in our digital age,"
said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford Connected
Services Solutions Organization. "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."
The SYNC TDI application leverages a customer’s mobile phone voice plan and
the vehicle’s integrated GPS receiver to deliver location-based services, such
as driving directions or business searches, and on-demand information such as
horoscopes, news, movie listings and stock quotes. Since these services,
including the new Send to SYNC functionality, are cloud-based, no vehicle
updates are required and they will be available to all owners who have
registered for TDI services through www.syncmyride.com.
When users visit Google Maps on the web to find locations, they will have the
option to send a selected destination to their Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle via a "send" menu on the
site. Once in the vehicle, the driver connects to SYNC TDI using the "Services"
voice command, and when prompted, confirms the request to download the Google
Maps destination into the vehicle.
The optimal route is calculated in the cloud using the latest traffic
information, downloaded to the vehicle and navigation guidance begins. If the
vehicle is equipped with a map-based navigation system, the destination point is
downloaded directly to that system, which then calculates the route based on the
in-vehicle navigation preferences set by the driver.
"Our cloud-based service network is helping deliver constant improvement for
our customers, and has become a key reason why Ford leads the industry with
SYNC," said VanDagens. "We’re proud to be working with Google to bring this new
capability to SYNC."
The Google Maps ‘Send to SYNC’ capability launches later this month. Ford is
currently the only automaker offering this capability without requiring a paid
subscription to a telematics service.
Ford previously announced the same feature for MapQuest (owned by AOL), which
will launch later this year.
