Ford is gearing up to revolutionize the in-car experience with its AI-powered assistants, marking a significant shift towards more personalized and advanced features. According to Doug Field, Ford's chief EV, design, and digital officer, the company aims to create a seamless layer of intelligence that bridges the gap between your phone and vehicle.
The AI assistant will initially be integrated into the Ford and Lincoln smartphone apps, with plans to roll out as a native experience in new or refreshed models starting early this year. Users can expect to benefit from features such as hands-free driver assistance and more intelligent loading capabilities - for example, taking a photo of an item you want to load onto your truck and having it confirm whether it will fit.
Furthermore, Ford is also exploring the concept of "software-defined vehicles," where multiple electronic control units are replaced by powerful multitasking computers. This trend has been gaining traction in the automotive industry, with Ford showcasing its own "High Performance Compute Center" at CES this year. The new computer design promises to be more efficient, cheaper, and performant than previous solutions.
The implications of this technology are significant, as it paves the way for more ambitious partially automated driver assists. Field revealed that next year will see the debut of a new generation of BlueCruise assist with enhanced capabilities at a lower cost. Even further down the line, Ford plans to introduce "level 3" assist in 2028, allowing drivers to relinquish situational awareness under certain circumstances.
As AI becomes increasingly integral to the automotive experience, it's clear that Ford is taking a bold step forward in redefining the relationship between humans and technology behind the wheel.
The AI assistant will initially be integrated into the Ford and Lincoln smartphone apps, with plans to roll out as a native experience in new or refreshed models starting early this year. Users can expect to benefit from features such as hands-free driver assistance and more intelligent loading capabilities - for example, taking a photo of an item you want to load onto your truck and having it confirm whether it will fit.
Furthermore, Ford is also exploring the concept of "software-defined vehicles," where multiple electronic control units are replaced by powerful multitasking computers. This trend has been gaining traction in the automotive industry, with Ford showcasing its own "High Performance Compute Center" at CES this year. The new computer design promises to be more efficient, cheaper, and performant than previous solutions.
The implications of this technology are significant, as it paves the way for more ambitious partially automated driver assists. Field revealed that next year will see the debut of a new generation of BlueCruise assist with enhanced capabilities at a lower cost. Even further down the line, Ford plans to introduce "level 3" assist in 2028, allowing drivers to relinquish situational awareness under certain circumstances.
As AI becomes increasingly integral to the automotive experience, it's clear that Ford is taking a bold step forward in redefining the relationship between humans and technology behind the wheel.