Ford and Google to Accelerate Auto Innovation, Reinvent Connected Vehicle Experience

Rhea-AI Summary

Ford and Google announced a strategic partnership to transform Ford's connected vehicle experience, naming Google Cloud as its preferred cloud provider. Starting in 2023, millions of Ford and Lincoln vehicles will utilize Android with integrated Google apps. A new collaborative group, Team Upshift, will enhance innovation, focusing on personalized consumer experiences. The partnership aims to improve customer service, modernize operations, and implement data-driven business models. The integration of Google technology will enhance navigation, voice assistance, and app accessibility within vehicles.

Positive

• Ford partners with Google to enhance connected vehicle technology.
• Google Cloud becomes Ford's preferred cloud provider for AI and data analytics.
• Launch of Android in Ford vehicles starting in 2023 for better user experience.
• Team Upshift will innovate personalized consumer experiences.

Negative

• None.

DEARBORN, Mich. and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ford and Google today announced a unique strategic partnership to accelerate Ford's transformation and reinvent the connected vehicle experience. Ford has also named Google Cloud its preferred cloud provider to leverage Google's world-class expertise in data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML). As part of this new, six-year partnership—and beginning in 2023—millions of future Ford and Lincoln vehicles at all price points will be powered by Android, with Google apps and services built-in.

To drive ongoing innovation, Ford and Google are establishing a new collaborative group, Team Upshift. Leveraging the talent and assets of both companies, Team Upshift will push the boundaries of Ford's transformation, unlock personalized consumer experiences, and drive disruptive, data-driven opportunities. This may include projects ranging from developing new retail experiences when buying a vehicle, creating new ownership offers based on data, and more.

"As Ford continues the most profound transformation in our history with electrification, connectivity and self-driving, Google and Ford coming together establishes an innovation powerhouse truly able to deliver a superior experience for our customers and modernize our business," said Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford.

"From the first moving assembly line to the latest driver-assist technology, Ford has set the pace of innovation for the automotive industry for nearly 120 years," said Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet. "We're proud to partner to apply the best of Google's AI, data analytics, compute and cloud platforms to help transform Ford's business and build automotive technologies that keep people safe and connected on the road."

As its preferred cloud provider and starting later this year, Google will help Ford leverage Google Cloud's  AI, ML and data analytics technologies to accelerate the automaker's digital transformation, modernize operations, and power connected vehicle technologies with Google's trusted, secure, and reliable cloud. With Google Cloud, Ford plans to: 

• Further improve customer experiences for customers with differentiated technology and personalized services;
• Accelerate modernization of product development, manufacturing and supply chain management, including exploration of using vision AI for manufacturing employee training and even more reliable plant equipment performance;
• Fast track the implementation of data-driven business models resulting in customers receiving real-time notices such as maintenance requests or trade-in alerts.

Ford and Google have a shared vision to bring enjoyable, safer and more efficient connected vehicle experiences built to minimize driver distraction and keep customers at the forefront of technology with over-the-air updates. Beginning in 2023, Ford and Lincoln customers globally will start to benefit from unique digital experiences built on top of the Android operating system and with Google apps and services built-in, which include world-class map and voice technology:

• With Google Assistant, drivers can keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, by getting things done with just their voice.
• With Google Maps as the vehicles' primary navigation, drivers can reach their destination faster with information on real-time traffic, automatic rerouting, lane guidance and more.
• With Google Play, drivers will have access to their favorite apps for listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks and more. These apps are optimized and integrated for in-vehicle use.

Android in the car also enables Ford and third-party developers to build apps that provide a constantly improving and ever-more-personalized ownership experience.

"We are obsessed with creating must-have, distinctively Ford products and services," said Farley. "This integration will unleash our teams to innovate for Ford and Lincoln customers while seamlessly providing access to Google's world-class apps and services."

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services.  Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

About Google Cloud
Google Cloud provides organizations with leading infrastructure, platform capabilities and industry solutions. We deliver enterprise-grade cloud solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technology to help companies operate more efficiently and adapt to changing needs, giving customers a foundation for the future. Customers in more than 150 countries turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to solve their most critical business problems.

About Google
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-and-google-to-accelerate-auto-innovation-reinvent-connected-vehicle-experience-301218555.html

SOURCE Google Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Ford's partnership with Google?

Ford's partnership with Google aims to transform its connected vehicle experience by leveraging Google's cloud technology and AI.

When will Ford vehicles start using the Android operating system?

Beginning in 2023, millions of Ford and Lincoln vehicles will be powered by Android.

What are the expected benefits of Ford's collaboration with Google?

The collaboration is set to improve customer experiences, modernize operations, and introduce data-driven business models.

How will Google Cloud assist Ford in its transformation?

Google Cloud will provide AI, machine learning, and data analytics to accelerate Ford's digital transformation.

What features will be available in Ford vehicles with Android?

Ford vehicles will feature Google Assistant, Google Maps for navigation, and access to Google Play for apps.