Microsoft and Ford Motor Co. came together five years ago to form a partnership that would produce vehicles that included in-vehicle connectivity systems which has changed the car industry like never before.
Announced Tuesday by Kevin Dallas, Microsoft Windows Embedded General Manager, and Ford CTO Paul Mascarenas, the two companies will be releasing the 5 millionth SYNC-equipped vehicle to celebrate the anniversary and continue their "leadership in development of the connected car."
"SYNC has helped us evolve as an automaker, to think and act more like a technology company, with a new level of openness and access that has forever changed how we look at our business and respond to our customers," said Mascarenas in the press release. "Ultimately, SYNC embodies what Ford is all about: going further to transform innovative ideas into products that are affordable, attainable and valuable to millions of people."
Both companies began talking about a collaboration in 2005 when they realized that mobile devices such as cell phones and media players were becoming more important to people. The number of accidents caused by people using their phones and media devices was staggering, and both companies wanted to help put an end to that.
"Thanks to our partner Microsoft and their expertise, we have turned the car into a platform with extensive opportunities for developers to work with us to continue to add value through new features delivered at the speed consumers no expect," said Mascarenas in the press release. "With more than 1 billion smartphones now in service around the world, we expect mobile connectivity will continue to be the foundational element of our strategy going forward."
The two companies finally announced the first vehicle with SYNC capabilities in 2007 and people went nuts for it. The first car with SYNC capabilities was the 2008 Ford Focus and it allowed people to make calls hands-free while also being able to play their music from their iPods or other devices using voice commands powered by the devices voice recognition system.
"We've worked with Ford on SYNC right from the star," said Dallas in the press release. "Taking a platform approach enabled us to move quickly and deliver an innovative solution unlike any in the industry while providing us the flexibility to continue to deliver new features and improvements to Ford customers."
Fast track five years where now the emphasis on devices such as smartphones and iPods are even greater than it was in 2007, and demand for Ford cars that are equipped with SYNC capability are still through the roof. Other components such as cloud connectivity, on-board sensors are also key when trying to create the most technologically advanced vehicle for according to the press release.
Ford was recently ranked first in AB Research's OEM connected automotive infotainment Competitive Assessment which ranks auto companies for "innovation, price and implementation."
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