Ford’s forthcoming electric vehicle (EV), the Mustang Mach-E, will have the latest version of Ford Sync – the carmaker’s factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system which learns from driver behaviours to make smart suggestions.
Officially announced last year, Ford's all-electric luxury SUV will launch in Europe in 2021, and will come with emerging technologies that the company says will allow a personalised in-vehicle experience.
It is the first of a family of electric-powered vehicles expected to be introduced by the American multinational automaker over the next few years.
Ford showcased its new communication and entertainment system for the first time via a virtual event last week. Ford Sync, version 4, enables more than 80 vehicle settings to be customised in the Mustang Mach-E, and combines conversational speech recognition, Internet search results and machine learning intelligence to make time-saving recommendations based upon previous journeys.
The system features a 15.5-inch full-HD touch display, with a large console allowing zoom and rotate touch controls, while the dial at the bottom of the screen allows quick adjustment of the volume for music or conference calls for both the driver and passengers.
One of the key features of the software, according to Ford, is the customisation it offers through cards, allowing users to easily access all the features they want and not get constrained by the user interface.
The system can identify individual drivers by their smartphone or key fob and apply their settings as they approach the vehicle, before they get in, allowing each family member to have their own unique cabin, driving and entertainment experience.
The system employs a machine learning algorithm to better understand drivers’ habits over time, notes Ford. For instance, if the user goes to the gym every Friday or calls home on their way back from work, the Sync system will learn each owner’s routines to make the right communication suggestions at the right time, enabling drivers to concentrate on the road.
“We’ve worked obsessively to make sure that owning a Mustang Mach-E is the most personal, most connected driving experience achievable,” says Jan Schroll, connectivity manager, Ford of Europe.
“The next-generation Sync is the smartest version yet and will continue to get smarter, the longer the owner drives the car. It is designed to know what they need – and when they need it – so they can just sit back and enjoy the drive.”
According to the American multinational automaker, the code for Ford’s next-generation of Sync was written from the ground-up, and the personalisation profile is stored in the cloud. This allows all FordPass settings – the Ford owner’s companion smartphone app – to be pushed to the vehicle, eliminating the frustration that comes with first-time set-ups, when the owner first pairs their smartphone with their Mach-E.
Owners will be able to pre-configure their new vehicle ahead of delivery using the new Remote Vehicle Setup feature.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are pre-installed with WiFi connectivity; the large display allows effortless access to favourite smartphone apps and contacts using voice or the vehicle's touchscreen.
“One-size-fits-all doesn’t fit anyone,” says Sheryl Connelly, Ford Global Consumer Trends and Futuring manager.
“Consumers want products, services and experiences that are uniquely suited to their needs – that is why Ford is enabling pre-delivery personalisation on the Mustang Mach-E. For those who take advantage of the feature, no two Mustang Mach-Es will ever be exactly alike.”
The Mustang Mach-E comes with a range of 370km on a charge. Intelligent Range technology provides drivers with information about their EV’s range, based on factors including traffic, terrain, weather and data from other Ford EVs using the roads ahead.
Owners can also schedule preferred charging times to take advantage of cost-efficient energy, while ensuring there is enough range to complete their upcoming journeys.
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