Navigation features will be standard on all Ford vehicles with MyFordTM and SYNC® with no extra hardware upgrades needed, making Ford the first automaker to compete with offerings from the hand-held navigation market
- MyFord vehicle interface will have basic graphical turn-by-turn directions standard, with full map-based navigation delivered by Secure Digital (SD) card, eliminating the need for expensive, specialized navigation DVD drives and displays
- Map-based SD card navigation builds on current SYNC Traffic, Directions & Information application, which delivers personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather – without the need for built-in navigation systems
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 7, 2010 – Ford Motor Company is the first automaker to launch an affordable navigation system that competes with the ease and upgradability of hand-held navigation devices.
Starting in 2010, a convenient, upgradable Secure Digital (SD) card-based navigation system requiring no expensive hardware or “head unit” electronics upgrades will be available for all Ford vehicles equipped with MyFord TouchTM. Turn-by-turn directions with generic display icons and voice guidance will be standard on all Ford vehicles with MyFord and SYNC®, using the existing Traffic, Directions & Information application.
The new system marks the first time that an automaker has offered a system that competes with the ease of use and upgradability of hand-held navigation devices, without requiring the purchase of an expensive navigation system upgrade.
Map-based SD card navigation builds upon SYNC with Traffic, Directions and Information. The current system leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a Bluetooth®-capable mobile phone to deliver personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather – without the need for a built-in navigation system.
Beginning with the Lincoln MKX crossover and its MyLincoln Touch system, which will be revealed at the North American International Auto Show next week, MyFord will begin to migrate across the company’s full product portfolio.
“Navigation systems have moved to the realm of automotive features consumers expect to find,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Harnessing the power of SYNC and the flexibility of our new MyFord system, we’re bringing an affordable, accessible, easy-to-update navigation system to millions of new consumers.”
The move will eliminate the need for expensive optional factory navigation systems, as well as “stick-on” aftermarket units that don’t integrate well with vehicle interiors and can prove to be distracting.
Two levels of navigation
Visual representation of basic turn-by-turn navigation in MyFord Touch right-side 4.2-inch instrument panel display
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MyFord gives drivers two 4.2-inch full-color LCD screens, one in the instrument panel and another in the center stack.
The MyFord Touch system brings two 4.2-inch LCD screens into the instrument panel and places an 8-inch touch screen in the center stack. Using the Traffic, Directions & Information application, either version of MyFord will be able to display turn arrows, street names and distance-to-turn information.
MyFord Touch SD card navigation map display
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Vehicles equipped with the upgraded MyFord Touch system already will have an 8-inch touch-screen display built into the center stack, which also is capable of displaying basic turn-by-turn direction information. SD card navigation, supplied by TeleNav, will be available as an option for the MyFord Touch system, activated by inserting the SD card in to the system’s built-in Media Hub. The SD card will contain the map database and voice data, 3D map graphics and enhanced point-of-interest (POI) information from Wcities.
MyFord Media Hub featuring RCA inputs, two USB 2.0 ports and a SD card slot
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Lowering costs while expanding accessibility
Because the navigation system is simply an application that runs on SYNC, the map database and POI information can be contained on a relatively inexpensive SD card. This new capability eliminates the costs of an internal hard drive storage system and DVD player for map updates.
“When we designed MyFord one of our driving principles was the democratization of technology,” said Kuzak. “Navigation doesn’t have to be a high-end luxury product. With MyFord, it will be standard on almost every Ford vehicle worldwide, and we believe it will help more people look forward to spending time behind the wheel of our vehicles.”
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