Ford Asks Students to Bring Social Media to Sync

When it comes to figuring out what’s next for in-car technology, Ford is turning to an outside group: University of Michigan students.

The project, American Journey 2.0, will give students unlimited access to a developmental operating system where they can test Ford programs. This will allow the automaker to figure out how to add social media experiences to its popular Sync communications and entertainment system.

Does this mean Facebook will pop up on your windshield at the push of a button? Not quite. Ford wants to see how young people will use a car’s technology to communicate and share information with the outside world. What form this will take remains to be seen (OK, Facebook Windshield is still a possibility).

Students will have a six-week beta test of a prototype software platform followed by the development of a new in-vehicle connectivity platform that will experiment with new applications and connection capabilities.

Divided into teams, the students that win will see their ideas implemented in a Ford Fiesta, which will then become a part of a larger marketing strategy.

Ford based this idea off of Microsoft’s “Millennials in Automotive Survey 2009,” which found that 77% used social networking sites with 64% visiting them daily. When millennials make up 28% of the driving population next year, Ford thinks it will be important to start building on their affinity for social media.

The automaker already has used social networking strategies to market the Fiesta and Fusion.

Students Help Ford Bring the Clouds to Cars (Autopia)

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Rim Man Arlington, Tx.

Nov 2, 2009 12:54:42 PM

I do not think that DOT will be too happy when people can have another distraction like this. I am not apposed to technology like this in cars; but when is it going to be enough? I do not think that people need to be that connected while driving. I would love to see how this program works and how it will affect the way people drive.

Nov 2, 2009 4:30:04 PM

Tweet while you drive, now THERE'S a bad idea!

FFcommunicator

Nov 2, 2009 6:45:35 PM

No Duh! Don't text and drive! Read! "The No Duhs of Social Media by our guest columnist Jeremy Hunt at http://www.famefoundry.com/646/the-no-duhs-of-social-media

@FFcommunicator