US automotive manufacturer Ford has partnered with Google to bring AI and machine-learning to its future connected vehicles.
As part of a six-year collaboration, all Ford and Lincoln vehicles will be powered by Android with Google apps and services built in.
Beginning in 2023, Ford vehicles will include Google Assistant enabling drivers to keep their eyes on the road by controlling maps and infotainment apps with their voice. Furthermore, Google Maps and Play will be optimised and integrated for in-vehicle use.
Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford, said “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 modernise our business.”
Ford has also named Google Cloud its preferred cloud provider to leverage Google’s expertise in data. Starting later this year Ford will use Google’s secure cloud to accelerate the automaker’s digital transformation and modernise operations.
Sundar Pichai CEO of Google, said: “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.”
As part of the partnership, a new collaborative group has been created – Team Upshift – to manage data-driven opportunities, such as developing new retail experiences when buying a vehicle and creating new ownership offers based on data.
