Posts Tagged ‘Microsoft’
Voice Controls Reduce Road Distraction
Friday, April 16th, 2010
A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study, commissioned by Ford Motor Co., has found that drivers using voice controls for electronics took their eyes off the road far less than drivers who fiddled with music players and cell phones.
Shane McLaughlin, a researcher with the Center for Automotive Safety Research at VTTI, says that as he picks apart accident reconstructions, he’s left with one message: “Don’t ever look down.”
Say McLaughlin, “What we’re finding across our studies is that if we can keep the eyes on the road, that’s a big piece of the puzzle.”
The study looked at 22 users of Ford’s Microsoft-based Sync voice-activated controls in real-world driving situations. That’s important, says McLaughlin, because many such tests done in labs fail to pick up on how drivers behave in the real world.
The study found drivers looked away from the road 2.5 times more often when using hand- rather than voice-activated controls for a phone call. It was 10 times more often for operating a music player.
McLaughlin says the technology is developing so fast that all carmakers should be able to get some kind of voice-control system into their vehicles soon. He says the study shows that if they’re not working on it now, “they should.”
If distracted driving s a concern for your fleet (and it should be), consider looking into some of these new technologies.
Photo courtesy of daleexeenko under the Creative Commons License
Tags: Ford Motor Co, Microsoft, road distraction, Shane McLaughlin, Virginia Tech Transportation Insitute, voice controls
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Ford and Microsoft Team up on EV Charging
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
Ford and Microsoft are teaming up to help future owners of Ford’s electric vehicles optimize the way they recharge their vehicle and better manage their home’s energy use.
The two companies are implementing the Microsoft Hohm energy management application for Ford’s electric vehicles. Ford will first use Hohm with the Focus Electric next year, the automaker said. Hohm will help owners determine when and how to most efficiently and affordably recharge battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. It also should help utility companies manage the added demands of electric vehicles on the electric grid.
“Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability,” said Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Co. president and CEO. “For Ford, this is a needed step in the development of the infrastructure that will make electric vehicles viable.”
Ford today has four hybrids on the road and another coming this year. They include the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Also coming this fall is the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Photo courtesy of Robert Scoble under the Creative Commons License
Tags: electric vehicles, energy, EV charging, Ford, Hohm, management, Microsoft, team up
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The Office You Drive
Thursday, July 9th, 2009
Ford creates high-tech suite for productivity behind the wheel
If your fleet vehicle is your full-time office, you’re well aware things like cup holders, wooden seat beads and arm rests haven’t advanced much in more than 30 years. But these latest amenities more than make up for the auto industry’s shortfalls in functionality.
MSNBC.com jumped into the driver seat to demonstrate how Ford is rolling out its latest technologies, or “Work Solutions,” just for the modern day mobile commercial customer.
To meet the demands of today’s all-day drivers, Ford teamed up with innovators DeWalt, Garmin, Master Lock, Microlise, Sprint, Magnetti-Marelli and Microsoft to create workforce enhancements such as:
• An in-dash, touchscreen, theft-proof computer for Internet access, hands-free phone calls, navigation and even printing invoices and checking inventories
• A smart “Crew Chief” program records maintenance, performance oil pressure, tire pressure, check engine lights, and productivity sensors for things like how much time is spent idling
• Something called “Cable Lock” to ensure the valuable gear in the bed of your pick-up doesn’t grow feet when you’re not looking
“Ford Work Solutions takes productivity to a new level by bringing the office to the job site in an integrated, seamless way … with a strong network of industry-leading partners,” said John Felice, Ford’s general marketing manager, according to the article.
The features are now available in all new Ford’s F-150 light-duty pickups, Super Duty pickups and the 2010 Transit Connect commercial minivan.
Tags: Dewalt, Ford, Garmin, Magnetti-Marelli, Master Lock, Microlise, Microsoft, msnbc.com, Sprint
Posted in Industry News | 1 Comment »
