Ford Motors Co. and Google announced on Monday (February 1) that they have entered into a six-year strategic partnership that will bring forth the Android operating system and Google technology in millions of cars.
The American car manufacturer has also named Google Cloud its preferred cloud provider to leverage Google’s world-class expertise in data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) in Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
The six-year partnership which starts in 2023 will provide millions of future Ford and Lincoln vehicles at all price points with Android, with Google apps and services built-in every vehicle that includes world-class map and voice technology.
Among the technologies to be included in future Ford cars is Google Assistant in which drivers can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, by getting things done with just their voice.
Using Google Map, Ford vehicles will have improved navigation. Drivers can reach their destination faster with information on real-time traffic, automatic rerouting, and lane guidance.
Another feature to be introduced in Ford and Lincoln cars is Google Play with drivers gaining access to their favorite apps optimized and integrated for in-vehicle use for quick and seamless listening to music, podcasts, and audiobooks, and more.
A new collaborative group Team Upshift was formed by the two companies to drive ongoing innovation and push the boundaries of Ford’s transformation, unlock personalized consumer experiences, and drive disruptive data-driven opportunities.
“As Ford continues the most profound transformation in our history with electrification, connectivity, and self-driving, Google and Ford coming together establish 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.
As its preferred cloud provider, Google will help Ford leverage Google Cloud’s AI, ML and data analytics technologies to accelerate the automaker’s digital transformation, modernize operations, and power connected vehicle technologies with Google’s trusted, secure, and reliable cloud.
“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.
The Google CEO said in a statement they will 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.
With Google Cloud, Ford also plans to:
- Further improve customer experiences for customers with differentiated technology and personalized services;
- 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;
- Fast track the implementation of data-driven business models resulting in customers receiving real-time notices such as maintenance requests or trade-in alerts.
Ford and Google also have a shared vision to bring enjoyable, safer, and more efficient connected vehicle experiences built to minimize driver distraction and keep customers at the forefront of technology with over-the-air updates.
Meanwhile, Android systems in the car also enable 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.”
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