LAS VEGAS — Ford threw down a major trump card on Thursday at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show, revealing a new MyTouch driver connect technology that does away with the traditional vehicle buttons, knobs and gauges found in most vehicles. Ford said MyTouch and MyLincoln will roll out later this year on the 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX crossovers.
Taking a page from cell phones and MP3 players, MyFord takes a radical step into the future with such features as reconfigurable instrument panel screens that are integrated into the speedometer. The system also relies on voice commands and five-way buttons like those on cell phones and MP3 players. Ford said drivers have "outgrown the traditional button/knob/gauge interface used in cars for the past 100 years."
Ford calls the new setup "a sweeping and ambitious redesign of the automotive interface." It said after MyTouch and MyLincoln roll out on the Edge and MKX, the technology will make its debut on the 2012 Ford Focus for global markets. "By 2015, approximately 80 percent of Ford's North American models are expected to have MyFord driver connect technology, with similar percentages predicted for the world market," Ford said in a statement.
Ford did not spell out how much the new technology will add to the bottom line. But it said the technology will be available across its lineup. "From our affordable small cars to the ultimate Lincoln, we're going to make a premium, appealing and intuitive experience available to everyone," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president of global product development, in a statement.
The MyFord interface blends dual 4.2-inch LCD screens with five-way button steering-wheel controls and an 8-inch touchscreen controlled by what it says are simplified Ford Sync voice commands. Drivers choose information by clicking a button, issuing a voice command or tapping a touchscreen.
Inside Line says: Ford cleans up the classic instrument panel and appears to leave the competition in the dust. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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nutsaboutcars says:
04:49 AM, 01/29/2010
They need to out this on the new taurus
cmike2780 says:
12:42 PM, 01/08/2010
Yet another reason to fear other drivers on the road. It's a cool idea, but how about developing something that doesn't provoke drivers into looking at a screen instead of the road. There's a reason why knobs and buttons on a car exist, instead of flat surfaces. It's tactile information that the driver car adjust without looking. You should be able to adjust the climate control with your eyes closed (not while driving of cours). Having a bright colored screen is a distraction no matter how you lay it out. Less is more.
felonious says:
09:36 AM, 01/08/2010
Ford is really on a roll these days! Go Ford!
l1tech says:
05:17 PM, 01/07/2010
This system will give ford owners something to do while I remove broken spark plugs from their cylinder heads .
gmhl10 says:
02:51 PM, 01/07/2010
Let's hope idiots don't try to configure their MyFord Touch while driving. We don't need more people looking at something else rather than the road.
smihal says:
01:23 PM, 01/07/2010
Looks pretty cool. Well done Ford.
icecubefosho says:
12:30 PM, 01/07/2010
Theres a reason why I own a Palm Pre instead of an iPhone or the MyTouch or the Hero. Its got a PHYSICAL keyboard.
More touchscreen technology without knobs and whatnot is just an annoyance to deal with.