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Ford Shows Off Advanced Technologies, New Kuga SUV at Computex Taipei 2013

2013/07/15 | By Quincy Liang

As the only automaker at this year's Computex Taipei (Taipei International Information Technology Show, held June 4-8), the largest computer exhibition in Asia, the Ford Motor Co. displayed its class-leading technologies designed to enhance the driving experience.

At a pre-show press conference, Ford announced that it was bringing the Ford Developer Program to markets in the Asia-Pacific and Africa, allowing developers to create voice-activated apps for cars and further reinforcing Ford's position as a global leader in technology.

The company also took advantage of the show to introduce the new Ford Kuga smart sport utility vehicle (SUV) to the Taiwan market. Known for its fuel economy, versatility, and new technology, the Kuga is claimed to make driving easier and more fun.

Thomas Fann, president of the Ford Lio Ho Motor Co., the local subsidiary of the American company, said, “With its global influence, Computex provides the ideal platform for Ford to showcase our most advanced technologies, which are not only user friendly but keep our customers seamlessly connected to their digital lives.”

Through the ongoing introduction of innovative and interactive features in its vehicles, Ford continues to cement its position in technology development, which has quickly earned it a global reputation as a leader in the field.

Voice Activation

At Computex, Ford also announced the AppLink 2.0, the newest version of the API (application program interface) which allows developers to build voice-activated applications along with new and unique services that will further enhance the driving experience.

One of the interfaces of Ford`s SYNC with MyFord Touch.
One of the interfaces of Ford`s SYNC with MyFord Touch.
Customers using the Ford SYNC AppLink are able to control applications on their smartphones through Ford's award-winning SYNC voice-activated connectivity system, just by using their voice. Advancements with AppLink 2.0 will allow access to more vehicle data, allowing free-form voice recognition and the ability to send in-vehicle push notifications similar to what consumers experience on their smartphones.

To help encourage the growing community of automotive app developers, Ford has also contributed its AppLink software to the GENIVI Alliance, becoming the first American automaker to contribute proprietary source code from one of its products to an open-source product.

The GENIVI Alliance is a non-profit industry grouping committed to driving the broad adoption of an In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) open-source development platform.

At the same time Ford announced the launch of the AppLink Catalogue app, which helps customers to easily discover apps that are available for Ford vehicles with the AppLink feature. Three new apps will be among the first to be available in the Asia-Pacific: global radio app TuneIn Radio, internet radio service Pandora, and Kaliki, an audio newspaper app.

Pandora–Free personalized internet radio. Simply enter a favorite artist, track, comedian or genre, and Pandora will create a personalized station that plays the selected music and more like it. Songs can be rated by giving thumbs-up and thumbs-down feedback and variety can be added to further refine stations.

TuneIn Radio–Gives users access to the world's music, sports, talk, and news from wherever they are, with over 70,000 AM, FM, HD, and Internet radio stations and more than two million on-demand programs from every continent.

Kaliki–A smartphone app for Android devices that cites the top news stories from major newspapers and magazines and provides an audio version for on-demand playback in the vehicle. The Kaliki Audio Newsstand app lets drivers of AppLink-enabled vehicles to listen to their favorite news and magazine stories without taking their eyes off the road.

The Kuga

Setting itself apart from its competitors, the new Ford Kuga comes equipped with a hands-free automatic tailgate which can be opened and closed simply by sweeping a foot under the rear bumper.

The new Ford Kuga also makes life easier for the driver with an array of smart technologies, including Active Park Assist, Blind Spot Information System, Lane Departure Warning System, Active City Stop, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

The SYNC system.
The SYNC system.
One of the key highlights of the new model is the introduction of SYNC with MyFord Touch, powered by Microsoft, which combines the connectivity of SYNC with a full-color 8-inch touch screen in the center stack and a 4-inch LCD screen. Using voice, controls on the steering wheel, or the center stack touch screen, drivers can access vehicle functions, settings, and information.

The new Ford Kuga also delivers strong fuel economy with a choice of 1.6-liter or 2.0-liter EcoBoost engines.

Ford took part in the Computex Smart Living Industry Forum on June 4, at which Edward Pleet, Ford's Connected Services Director for the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Europe, discussed the “Smart Living, Networked Society.”

Keeping People Connected

The latest version of MyFord Touch provides an enhanced touch screen interface that boasts simpler graphics and bolder text, along with faster response time.

Ford will introduce the New Kuga SUV to the Taiwan market soon.
Ford will introduce the New Kuga SUV to the Taiwan market soon.
By connecting a cellphone via Bluetooth or USB connection, MyFord Touch allows users to call their contacts with voice control by using their first name, last name, or both, while comprehensive contact information such as a contact's address or email can also be downloaded. To ensure privacy, contact information is available only when a phone is connected to the system, unlike embedded connectivity systems.

The advanced driver connect technology comes with a simplified voice recognition command structure that uses a flattened syntax so that drivers can perform more tasks using fewer words. The improved SYNC vocabulary recognizes more than 10,000 voice commands.

Ford Stand Packed with Interactive Fun

Visitors to the Computex Ford stand could find plenty to entertain them, with a series of interactive features to educate them about Ford's technology developments in a fun way.

To show how SYNC makes the driving experience more enjoyable, the Ford exhibit displayed SYNC & Drive, a voice activated feature to demonstrate SYNC with MyFord Touch's functionalities, climate control, calling, text, and music.

A hands-free automated tailgate is a useful feature of the New Kuga.
A hands-free automated tailgate is a useful feature of the New Kuga.
SYNC Your Music, which also uses voice commands, showed off the entertainment aspect of the system. Visitors were able to create their own music track, become a Ford SYNC DJ, and compete with others connected to the live DJ feature on the stand.