Auto show about vehicles or information technology?
By: Drivers.com staff
Date: 2000-01-13
Visitors to the 2000 North American International Auto Show in Detroit might be forgiven for thinking-despite the gleaming new production and concept models on display-that this isn't about vehicles at all, but information technology.
In particular, the young, computer-savvy team from Ford appears dedicated to building what one motoring correspondent describes as "the perfect in-car office, opera house, and stock exchange."
Safety, of course, comes first and the leading manufacturers are heading for such refinements as IT systems that automatically phone 911 when the airbags deploy or will automatically track down a stolen vehicle. And again, in the interests of safety, these systems will be sophisticated enough to obey the driver's voice.
Ford, for instance, plans to equip its 2001-model-year vehicles with voice-activated "telematics" offering advanced security feature and information access. These systems will be standard on select Lincoln luxury vehicles and optional on the Ford Focus in Europe. Other applications have yet to be announced.
The telematics systems will include the option of voice-activated access to personalized Internet information including news, stock quotes, and weather. The systems will be expanded to virtually all Ford vehicles worldwide over the next several years.
"In the first years of the 20th century, Ford Motor Company pioneered affordable personal transportation for ordinary people," Ford President and CEO Jack Nasser said at the auto show. "In this new century, Ford will make affordable, advanced in-vehicle communications technology available to millions of customers. Ford is aggressively developing a unique business model that will deliver these products and services quickly and affordably to large groups of customers, regardless of their vehicle choice."
All this technology appearing on new vehicles leads one to wonder whether drivers will be qualified to operate them efficiently and safely, when many may have trouble programming their VCRs.
It raises the question as to whether special courses for operating such electronic gizmos should be introduced, and whether the ability of drivers to handle them should be part of the driver examination.
For instance, features available on some Ford models this year include:
- Automatic Collision Notification: In collision situations where the air bags are deployed, a message will be transmitted automatically to an operator with information identifying the vehicle and its location. A voice call will be made to the vehicle to determine the nature of the accident and whether emergency assistance is required.
- Emergency Assistance: the emergency button will connect the driver to an operator for immediate police, fire and medical assistance.
- Roadside Assistance: If the driver or the vehicle is stranded-with a flat tire, for example-the system can be connected to an operator who will provide information or nearby services.
- Infotainment (standard on some models) Concierge (operator assisted): The information button will connect the driver to an operator who will serve as an online concierge, whether customers need directions to a gas station or need to find the closest hotel.
- Internet: This optional service will bring news and more straight to the car.
- Personal Information Management: Connected customers will be able to customize their Internet offerings so their favorite items will be delivered automatically. Drivers will be able to monitor e-mail, update schedules, get stock quotes or simply listen to the latest news.
- Traffic Information: In major metropolitan areas, the latest traffic information will be delivered directly to the car.
Incidentally, Ford's phone system offers full voice control so drivers can dial a number without taking their hands off the wheel. It also includes a speed-dial feature so that programmable speed-dial telephone numbers can be activated by simple voice commands such as "Call Joe Smith at work" or "Call home."
Brian Kelley, Ford vice-president and president of Consumer Connect, the company's e-business and telematics group, says, "Interestingly, the majority of customers tell us they are more interested in safety and security features than in-vehicle Internet services. So, we are looking at making these safety features standard as quickly and widely as possible. As telecommunications and computer costs continue to come down, we also plan to offer more of the advanced telematics features as standard equipment."
Ford also revealed what it's planning for in-car communications in the future:
- Satellite Radio: In partnership with Sirius, Ford will be the first car company to offer 100 channels of satellite radio programming, including 50 commercial-free stations. The uninterrupted CD-quality programming will be offered coast-to-coast in the United States beginning in early 2001.
- Entertainment/Multimedia: Ford will provide the bandwidth and the connection so passengers can surf the Internet, download music or play their favorite trivia game.
- Remote Diagnosis: This is an option that will monitor a vehicle's vital operating systems and arrange regular maintenance appointments.
- Wireless Synchronization: Customers will be able to synchronize the on-board system with a laptop or palm computer.
- Tracking: In the case of a stolen vehicle, customers can ask to have their car or truck electronically tracked for recovery.
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