Ford’s Newest Tech Unveiled At ‘Further With Ford 2015’

Sync3, Pro Trailer Backup Assist for the 2016 F-150, wearable tech, new camera innovations, and trends in mobility lead the way.

San Francisco, CA Now in its fifth year, The Bay played host to Ford’s annual Further With Ford 2015 conference – an opportunity to showcase the automaker’s upcoming and imminent technology for the forthcoming year plus share their latest in research, innovation, and insight into world trends.

The underlining takeaway at this year’s conference, at least in my eyes, is that the world population is growing incredibly fast – and with CEO Mark Fields speaking at dinner flanked by huge dual slideshows depicting dramatic CNN-style future population explosions (literally, like human explosions) – the point hits home.

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Photo: Amee Reehal

Granted, the global population boom isn’t exactly a revelation anymore, but Ford recognizes this growth is occurring almost exponentially, where the streets of cities like London and Mumbai will see incredible congestion – less space, more people, not good. Ford’s prototype foldable electric bike, allowing drivers to park their vehicles outside the core with a collapsible bike in stow, is one solution that certainly makes a lot of sense even for today’s world metro cities. 

Ford says by 2018 cameras will be standard in all their vehicles; the 2016 Ford Fusion will be the segment’s first to introduce a standard camera.

Another trend to watch for is autonomous driving vehicles. Ford’s journey to higher levels of automation is well underway. And they feel they’re getting closer to making the autonomous car real. While the idea of self-driving consumer cars (transporting our kids to piano lessons and soccer practice) may seem inevitable, the day of the completely human-free, totally autonomous car may be further down the road than we may anticipate – and Ford agrees.

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Photo: Amee Reehal

There are still way too many grave questions unanswered and looming: Will society accept autonomous cars? Can the government and insurance companies work together quickly and harmoniously to make this work properly? Plus, a million other questions and concerns, no doubt. Ford feels limited automation is almost here. But the full make-a-sandwich-while-you-drive days are still far in the future. 

Cameras – the other big news item. Ford says by 2018, cameras will be standard in all their vehicles; the 2016 Ford Fusion will be the segment’s first to introduce a standard camera. Considering Ford was one of the first to introduce the rearview camera in the 2007 Expedition, it’s reasonable to say the automaker will push hard, leading the way with new camera technology, recognizing that cameras play a big part of our daily lives.

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Photo: Amee Reehal

But we’re not talking pictures here. Ford’s cameras focus on safety and pre-collision assistance for preventative measures, keeping our vehicles in lane, ensuring our auto high beams work, and generally working in tandem with new and improved sensors to keep us safe and provide convenience with technology like the new Trailer assist, and industry first.

The idea of democratizing technology to the people – a term that came up several times throughout the day — is a strong indication Ford is taking a page out of Henry’s original playbook by taking the coveted and making it available and affordable to the masses.

New Sync3 replaces the MyTouch system

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Photo: Amee Reehal

Gone is the multicoloured, quadrant-style MySync (which I grew to like over the years; a quick corner-touch – one of four – got you quickly to the four basic car groups). Say hello to Sync3: Ford’s solution to a more intuitive setup with all-new software/hardware. The new setup strives to be in tune with our everyday tech from phones, tablets, all of it — MySync was more functional, whereas Sync3 is tapping into more tech with an intuitive interface.

The Sync3 finds more accessible controls, new hot buttons, and new zoom-to-pinch ability, plus AppLinks. But no onboard WiFi hotspot; vehicles will receive WiFi for upgrades, but that’s it for now. With GM now offering full WiFi capabilities for everyone in the cabin, Ford likely isn’t far behind, but nothing yet.

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Photo: Amee Reehal

Sync3 will be available in the 2016 Ford Fiesta with the $927 US ($1150 CDN) SE Package and the 2016 Ford Escape SE Package for $1047 US ($1300 CDN).

Ford’s New Trailer Backup Assist – An Industry-First

In the upcoming 2016 Ford F150, the next Super Duty will include Ford’s most advanced camera tech yet; the F150 will find five cameras total, and the Super Duty a whopping seven. But with added view angles and a game-changer trailer to assist those towing their boats to the lake, they will have little to complain about.

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Photo: Amee Reehal

This backup assist, when activated, hands over complete control to the computer, taking full control of the steering wheel. Great for towing. Won’t lie, it was unfamiliar letting go of all control – with a $50,000+ boat hitched up, it would certainly feel a bit more disconcerting. The price? Ford wouldn’t disclose the upgrade price but said it wouldn’t be a pricey one, under one-thousand dollars.

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Photo: Amee Reehal
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Photo: Amee Reehal

Wearable Technology with MyFord app

Where’s the future without wearable technology? Ford starts with the MyFord Mobile app extension coming to our smartwatches, including Android Wear. Ford vehicles will allow their drivers to check vehicle range (dude, where’s my car?!), battery charge, and more for their plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle – all from their wrists.  This demo includes Escape’s ability to reverse via smartwatch remotely.

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Photo: Amee Reehal

Research and Innovation Centre in Palo Alto

Gallery from the Research and Innovation Centre in Palo Alto, where Ford is researching and implementing new ideas and technology from sustainability using natural materials for car components and finding solutions for the continual quest for overall weight reduction to foldable electric bicycles – the Ford MoDe:Me and MoDe:Pro prototypes – for congested future cities to other tech innovations and research you’d expect out of Palo Alto. 

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Author:
Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.