Eric Baber's blog

Keynote: Alan Mulally, Chairman and CEO of Ford. 8 January 2009, afternoon

Ford Work Solutions + Sync: large screens, voice-activated, wireless devices in cars. Music, Office apps etc.

“Automotive leader in Connectivity”. Infotainment.

Link up with Sony for hardware

Mobile phone central as well

“We're a car company, but we're learning to act like an electronics company”. Working with partnerships

Unifying home and office etc. Culturally specific?

Cell phones will always evolve quicker than cars.

MyKey – key that works in conjunction with car which can be programmed by parents for e.g. Highest speed, stereo volume etc.

HD radio in 2010

Car can automatically dial 911 after accident. Speaks to operator or lets you do it.

Vehicle health report – informs user of state of vehicle

Traffic, directions services. Gathers data from millions of cars such as speed and location in order to plot traffic and reroute drivers

Systems will detect whether your phone has a data plan. If so, it'll stream more services through that plan.

Sync will be able to access Apple apps etc

Access Facebook etc messages through voice commands

Lots of info about vehicle economy so that driver can adjust driving

Ford Focus more economic than some hybrids

Configurable displays in future. “Intelligent” systems, giving driver information depending on habits, time of day etc etc. E.g. At lunchtime, suggesting local restaurant that suits preferences.

Sync available globally in 2010. Europe first, then Asia