Ask typical techies what they’d expect to see at International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) and their top-of-mind response might be the latest and greatest in mobile electronics. If that’s the case, they’re thinking too small, and not just in terms of physical dimensions. That’s because “mobile electronics” has taken on a whole new meaning that makes Game Boys and iPhones look like kids’ stuff.

Ford’s wide-ranging, customer-driven in-vehicle technology and features continue to gain recognition and awards from industry experts. Both Ford Work Solutions and SYNC – two Ford-exclusive technologies – will be honored with International CES (Consumer Electronics Show) 2010 Innovations Design and Engineering Awards.

Ford Work Solutions’ in-dash computer won 2010 Best of Innovations in the category of In-Vehicle Accessories. SYNC’s latest application, Traffic, Directions & Information, was honored in the category of In-Vehicle Navigation/Telematics/ITS (Intelligent Transportation System).

Here Come the Judges
Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the media to honor outstanding design and
engineering in cutting-edge consumer electronics products across 36 categories.

The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:

• Engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used
• Aesthetic and design qualities, using photos provided
• The product’s intended use/function and user value
• Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive
• How the design and innovation of the product compares to other products in the marketplace

Enabling greater productivity for fleets, commercial customers
Ford Work Solutions is a collection of technologies created to provide Ford commercial truck and van customers with connectivity, flexibility and security to better manage their businesses. Available on Ford F-150, F-Series Super Duty, E-Series vans and the new Transit Connect, Ford Work Solutions delivers four innovative features:

• An in-dash computer developed with Magneti Marelli and powered by Microsoft Auto that provides full high-speed Internet access via the Sprint Mobile Broadband Network, Bluetooth-enabled hands-free calling and navigation by Garmin. The first broadband-capable in-dash computer in production, the system allows customers to print invoices, check inventories and access documents stored on their home or office computer networks – right on the job site. The office is now mobile.
• Tool Link™, a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tracking system developed in association with DeWALT™, the industry leader in professional power tools, and ThingMagic, the industry expert on embedded RFID technology. This technology enables customers to maintain a detailed real-time inventory of the tools or equipment stored in the pickup box.
• Crew Chief™, a fleet tracking, telematics and diagnostics system, offered with market-leading telematics specialist Microlise, provides dynamic location and performance data fleet owners need to more efficiently manage their vehicles, quickly dispatch workers to job sites, monitor driver performance for safety and economy, and keep detailed vehicle maintenance records.
• Cable Lock security system developed in association with Master Lock®, the industry-leading lock manufacturer, discourages theft of expensive tools too large to fit in the cab.

Keeping you connected
Ford SYNC’s latest application – Traffic, Directions & Information – leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrated GPS technology and a customer’s Bluetooth-capable mobile phone. It provides simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather.

These new capabilities are in addition to SYNC’s established hallmark suite of services, from hands-free, voice-activated cell phone and digital media player integration to the more recent security and convenience additions of 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report.

Introduced in 2007, more than 80 percent of the vehicles Ford sells in North America are equipped with SYNC, and more than 1 million SYNC-equipped vehicles are on the road today.

2010 International CES
Ford Work Solutions and SYNC with Traffic, Directions & Information will be on display at the 2010 International CES, which runs Jan. 7-10, 2010 in Las Vegas. The Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase will feature honorees by product category in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center and they will also be featured at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES on Jan. 5.

Quotes
“Our customers want the latest in connectivity and technology – making their drive experience more enjoyable and convenient. We’re honored that CES has recognized our efforts in providing these customer-driven features.”
– Mark Fields, President, The Americas, Ford Motor Company

“Ford Work Solutions is just another example of how we listen to our truck customers and deliver features and technology to help them do their jobs easier and more efficiently. We’ve been the leader in the segment for 32 years by delivering real-world solutions to our customers. For example, fleets using Crew Chief have experienced increases in fuel economy in excess of 20 percent.”
– Bill Frykman, Business Development Manager for Ford Work Solutions

Techies aren’t easily duped – if a technology doesn’t deliver on its promise the failure is quickly detected and poseurs are eliminated from the playing field. So, being called “official” anything at International CES (Consumer Electronics Show®) might as well be called the Techie Seal of Approval.

So, without further adieu, the official vehicle of the 2010 International CES to be held Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas is the hot-selling 2010 Ford Taurus, the smartest full-size sedan in America.

Moreover, Ford President and CEO Alan Mulally will deliver the opening keynote address at CES, the world’s largest consumer technology trade show and a make-or-break event for the $172 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. There, Ford also will announce enhancements to its award-winning Ford SYNC® communications and entertainment system as well as new technology that builds on the company’s connected-car leadership position.

What makes Taurus tech-worthy?
As the official car of CES, the Ford Taurus will be featured prominently with technology demonstrations and in signage, brochures and other written materials at the show.

As Frank Davis, executive director of Ford Product Development notes, the all-new Ford Taurus is a perfect fit for CES. In addition to its expressive styling, the vehicle is loaded with advanced features, making it a virtual dream come true for avid techies.

The Taurus also offers the latest application of SYNC – Traffic, Directions & Information – along with 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report. SYNC’s USB port and Bluetooth capability connects to MP3 players, memory sticks and smartphones, making them accessible by voice control – a more convenient and safe way to use these devices in the car.

For techies with teenaged drivers, Taurus offers MyKey™, a feature that allows parents to program a key that can limit the vehicle’s top speed and audio volume to encourage teens to drive safer and improve fuel efficiency.

In addition to Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion, voice-activated navigation, SYNC and MyKey, other class-exclusive technologies available on the Ford Taurus include:

• EasyFuel® Capless Fuel-Filler – a self-seal system without a traditional fuel cap. No lost, dangling, or spinning caps. It seals automatically, every time.
• SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry Keypad – a feature that allows you to unlock the driver’s door by entering a five-digit code via a flush-mounted keypad
• Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support – a feature that allows you to set a cruising speed and uses radar technology to automatically adjust your speed and warn you if you’re getting too close to the vehicle in front of you
• Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert – a feature that uses radar technology to warn you of vehicles in your blind spot and alert you to oncoming traffic when you’re backing out of a parking spot
• Sony Audio® System – a surround sound system that delivers Dolby® Digital 5.1 sound through 12 high-quality Sony speakers
• Available EcoBoost™ V-6 – a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that delivers the output of a V-8, 365 horsepower, without compromising its V-6 fuel economy

In addition to being named official vehicle of the 2010 International CES, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO was dubbed Esquire magazine’s first-ever “Car of the Year.”

Quotes
“The all-new Taurus is Ford’s technology flagship, offering more user-friendly technology to help keep you safe and connected than cars twice its price. And there’s no better venue to show it off than CES. Even the most zealous techies are careful with their money. Taurus offers an unprecedented array of technologies typically reserved for luxury cars at a price that is affordable.”
– Frank Davis, executive director Product Development

“Consumers demand the latest on-the-go innovation in their cars. Ford automobiles are built with cutting-edge technology that makes driving safer and more enjoyable. We are thrilled to welcome Ford to the 2010 International CES and to name the new Ford Taurus as the ‘Official Car of CES.’ We also look forward to hearing Ford’s Alan Mulally kick off the 2010 CES with his opening keynote address on Thursday, Jan. 7.”
– Gary Shapiro, President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association® (CEA), producer of the International CES

Who better to ask about the in-car technologies of tomorrow than the millennial generation, right? And what better time to ask than right now.

Ford Motor Company and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor are working together to discover the next frontier of in-car-communications. The two have joined forces to launch a project that gives students access to a Ford developmental operating system so these students can test and program new applications in search of the “what’s next” for in-car connectivity.

The two-phase advanced research project called the “American Journey 2.0,” is aimed at finding new ways to harness the power of social networks and cloud computing to deliver the future of a grand tradition, the great American road trip.

Millennials’ market force
Ford is the industry leader for in-car connectivity and its award-winning SYNC system, co-developed with Microsoft, is the first to seamlessly integrate a variety of technologies providing emergency, diagnostic and information services as well as traffic reports and directions all through a user’s Bluetooth-paired mobile phone. Current technologies include: on-board text-to-speech engine, data-over-voice technology, a GPS receiver, and an off-board routing engine and information services network accessed through a voice portal.

The next breakthrough in the connected car experience – especially amongst the emerging market force of the Millennial generation – will be responsibly accessing social networks, including Twitter and Facebook, plus other internet data to further improve the driving experience.

The Microsoft “Millennials in Automotive Survey 2009” reported that 77 percent of those surveyed use social networking sites, 50 percent subscribed to more than one site; 64 percent frequented them daily; and 33 percent reported spending 30 minutes or more for each visit. In 2010, the Millennials will make up 28 percent of the driving population, up 9 points from just 2004, making it a powerful consumer group to target.

Such reach-out and collaboration with a university’s student body represents a developmental shift for Ford as it looks for ways to use novel models of open-source collaboration similar to how ideas are cultivated in Silicon Valley. This new way of innovating is aimed at delivering the driver with relevant and personalized content that is tailored for the individual driver’s unique in-car experience.

Phase One – Testing the Platform
Phase one of the project starts with a small group of computer and electrical engineering students beta testing a Ford prototype in-vehicle connectivity software platform that supports navigation, cell phone and digital music players, and has the enhanced ability to access vehicle performance data and act as an interface for newly-developed social networking applications.

The intense six-week student “test drive” of the open platform began in early October, with students tirelessly running multiple combinations of applications, trying to break codes and force the system to crash.

Phase Two – American Journey 2.0
The winter course will be open to 25-30 students of multiple disciplines, and will feature small teams collaborating on the Ford developmental software platform and building upon its connectivity capabilities with new applications.

A panel of judges from Ford, University of Michigan, Microsoft, Maker Faire, and other professions will pick the winning application set at the end of the course and the chosen student team will install their new connectivity programs in a specially prepared Ford Fiesta for what Ford has dubbed the “American Journey 2.0” – a group expedition to test and show off their efforts at the 2010 Maker Faire, the world’s largest do-it-yourself convention held next spring in California.

Quotes
“Already with SYNC, we have proven that we can access information in the ‘cloud.’ This research gives us the opportunity to harness the power of student innovation to explore beyond those capabilities and develop what’s next. We want the students to get creative and develop ways to responsibly connect the car to communicate and share with the outside world.”
– Venkatesh Prasad, Group and Technical Leader of Ford’s Infotronics team in Research & Advanced Engineering

“Research like this pushes the envelope of current technology and helps us identify and solve the next set of challenges in the evolving arena of vehicle connectivity. What excites me about this project is that it gives our students the opportunity to unleash their creativity using cutting-edge technologies to find the best ways to connect the vehicle and the ‘cloud.’”
– Dr. Jason Flinn, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan

“We are doing a complete shakedown of the development platform. It’s an awesome project because we are working on the bleeding edge, able to add our knowledge, insight and interests that could have real-world impact on how we drive, and how our commutes impact the environment and each other.”
– Dr. Brian Noble, Associate Professor of EECS at the University of Michigan

While Ford’s rumored development of a flying car is greatly exaggerated, it’s fair to say that the future of hybrid vehicles is in good shape. In fact, Ford and the University of Michigan are working together on a new project to accelerate the development of future hybrid vehicles.

Researchers are analyzing data from 2,500 road trips to determine how internal electronic vehicle controls could be tweaked to further improve fuel efficiency and fun-to-drive attributes.

Working with U of M, Ford has tested nearly 1 million design simulations of hybrid vehicle control systems to date and continues to conduct about 50,000 a week – a development speed that otherwise would not be possible.

Other academic work in hybrid vehicle technology primarily has been focused on fuel economy – often at the expense of drivability. Ford and U of M are looking at the marriage of both.

The new hybrid controller design method has the potential to offer consumers more choice in efficiency and drivability. They may have multiple operational modes or offer customers the ability to customize their driving experience.

The research is still in its early stages, but initial results are promising.

Read more about Ford Motor Company’s hybrid vehicles.

Quotes
“The Ford Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan available, and its performance is second to none. Our work with U of M is helping us develop the next generation of Ford hybrids and bring them to market even faster.”
– Ryan McGee, Supervisor of Vehicle Controls Architecture and Algorithm Design in Ford’s Research and Advanced Engineering.

Working together with the University of Michigan research team, we are testing the boundaries of hybrid vehicle technology, exploring innovative ways to raise the bar on fuel economy and drivability. This joint work on hybrid software development shows great promise in helping us lead the development of more efficient hybrid systems for the future.”
– Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, chief technical officer, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering

Smith College and Ford Motor Company today celebrate the dedication of Ford Hall, a $73 million, 140,000-square-foot, “green”-certified facility that serves as home for the college’s Picker Engineering Program and computer science, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology curricula.

The Ford Motor Company Fund’s $10 million lead gift, pledged in 2001, represents the company’s strong support for advancing opportunities for women in engineering, as well as its commitment to environmental sustainability. The celebration includes a traditional ribbon cutting, open house and panel discussion about the future of engineering and the sciences at Smith College.

In addition to the building investment, the Ford Fund contributed an additional $2.6 million for a variety of activities in support of the engineering program at Smith, including scholarships, curriculum development, K-12 outreach programs and sustainability efforts on campus.

Sustainability for scholars
Ford Hall is certified as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) “green” facility – the first LEED-certified structure built on the Smith College campus. It incorporates green roofs, porous pavement, vegetated swales, environmentally responsible mechanical systems and the use of a combined heat and power cogeneration system.

A student design team, under the supervision of project professionals, developed a unique combined heat and power cogeneration system used to support a portion of Ford Hall’s energy needs through renewable means. Smith also installed other innovative energy technologies including fuel cells and solar panels to provide additional environmental and financial benefits.

The emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency for Ford Hall places the building in the forefront of energy efficient architecture. The building’s designers incorporated numerous initiatives to reduce the consumption of energy resources and the cost of operation. In addition, Ford Hall serves as a learning lab and a teaching tool for sustainable design. The emphasis on sustainability in the new building is the largest undertaking in a campus-wide effort by Smith College to promote and implement energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

That’s Miss Smith to you
Established in 1999, Smith’s Picker Engineering Program is the nation’s first and only accredited all-women engineering program. It is focused on developing broadly educated, well-rounded engineers capable of assuming leadership roles in corporations, nonprofit organizations and technology-related fields. Thirty percent of Smith students major in the sciences – more than three times the national average.

Smith College is the largest undergraduate women’s college in the country, enrolling 2,800 students from nearly every state and 61 countries. By linking the power of the liberal arts to excellence in research and scholarship, Smith is developing leaders for society’s challenges.

Quotes
“We’re proud of our partnership with Smith College and the opportunity to participate in the building of Ford Hall. We are confident that together we can make real advances to safeguard the health of this planet and protect its resources. With Ford Hall, we are joining with faculty and students of Smith College as engineers of a better world for future generations.”
– Jim Vella, President, Ford Motor Company Fund

“Ford Hall represents the essence of a sustainable future. It is an example of how we need to think and build going forward – with sustainable materials, energy efficiency and environmental compatibility. Ford Hall is also a challenging and enabling environment for our future generations of women scientists and engineers – those who will generate the ideas and make a reality tomorrow’s collaborative solutions for long-term sustainability.”
– Nancy Gioia, Director of Global Electrification, Ford Motor Company

“In location and design, Ford Hall is a crossroads. The most pressing problems of our time lie at the intersections of engineering and other disciplines.”
– Linda E. Jones, Director of the Picker Engineering Program and Rosemary Bradford Hewlett ’40 Professor of Engineering

Techno troglodytes rejoice! Tech assistance is at hand!

Ford Motor Company has teamed up with the industry’s largest electronics retailer, Best Buy, to help bring consumers closer to the industry-leading SYNC® in-car communications system. Through Best Buy Mobile, the retailer will offer thousands of specially trained associates to assist with Ford SYNC education, training and phone compatibility tests to ensure consumers are maximizing the SYNC experience.

Get expert assistance
Beginning in October, Best Buy stores in Texas will conduct a pilot program involving more than 30 Best Buy locations where consumers will be able to experience live SYNC demos and Ford, Lincoln and Mercury customer clinics. The SYNC demos will show participants how their mobile phones can interact with the voice-activated system, while customer clinics will help new Ford customers improve their understanding of SYNC capabilities using their actual phones and vehicles. Local dealers will participate to offer additional expert assistance on SYNC.

Local dealers will remain the primary touch point for consumers interested in purchasing SYNC; however, Best Buy Mobile experts will serve as another resource for consumers looking to learn more about the compatibility of their mobile devices. Under the agreement, Best Buy Mobile associates will provide Ford owners with phone pairing information, helping them get comfortable with SYNC and enabling them to either connect their existing handset or choose a compatible mobile phone.

Best Buy also will include Ford SYNC mobile phone compatibility results in its monthly Best Buy Mobile Buyer’s Guide to identify which of the latest mobile devices work seamlessly with Ford SYNC. The ratings are based on phone compatibility tests conducted by Best Buy’s tech services unit Geek Squad, and are updated frequently. The SYNC ratings can also be found at www.syncmyride.com.

National SYNC ad campaign rolls out
Earlier this month, Ford launched its new advertising campaign for SYNC, called “SYNC: Say the Word,” to further increase awareness around its current voice-activated applications. The SYNC ads will target young, tech-savvy drivers and appear in various print and online mediums.

“SYNC: Say the Word” will feature robotic “voice agents” that act as personal assistants as voice commands are activated. There will be a total of nine robots that will each showcase the various applications of SYNC including turn-by-turn navigation, 911 Assist, music search, audible text message reading, hands-free calling, business search, Vehicle Health Report, real-time traffic and My Favorites – news, sports, weather.

To complement print advertisements, Ford will also release 30-second video spots with select robotic voice agents to build awareness of how each SYNC application can be activated by simple voice command. The company will also make available a total of 11 instructional videos that highlight each SYNC feature on its redesigned consumer education Web site, which can be found at http://www.fordvehicles.com/innovation/sync/.

As SYNC capabilities expand, more experts essential
Ford SYNC seamlessly integrates a variety of technologies such as an onboard text-to-speech engine, a customer’s mobile phone and network, data-over-voice technology, an off-board routing engine and voice portal. Combined, these technologies enable:

• Voice dialing allows users to press the “Push to Talk” button on the steering wheel, then say the name of the person they wish to call. SYNC will automatically connect with the names in the mobile phone’s contact list.
• Voice control of MP3 devices lets users browse the music collection on a connected digital media player, mobile phone or USB drive by genre, album, artist and song title using simple voice commands, such as “Play Genre Rock,” “Play [artist]” or “Play Track [song title].”
• 911 Assist can place a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an accident involving the activation of an air bag or, on certain vehicles, the emergency fuel pump shutoff. If an occupant cannot respond, SYNC can deliver a recorded message to the 911 service to alert an operator that a crash has occurred.
• Vehicle Health Report gives customers the ability to monitor and manage their vehicle’s health in a single, easy-to-read report and receive important notifications. The report includes diagnostic systems’ statuses, scheduled maintenance, needed repairs from the last dealership visit, and will even alert owners of any open recalls.
• Traffic, Directions & Information, SYNC’s newest application, can deliver personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather – without the need for a built-in or aftermarket navigation system.

New SYNC applications introduced in 2009 have dramatically expanded the system’s capabilities, and continue to set the standard for ease of use. SYNC allows customers to move seamlessly between their home, car and office, staying connected wherever they go.

Quotes
“With the ever-changing technology landscape, it was a strategic decision to work with Best Buy to provide our customers another expert resource on the Ford SYNC platform. “As we expand the capabilities of SYNC, we will need to educate our customers on the full benefits and expanded services of newly added applications. We couldn’t think of a better way for consumers to learn about new SYNC features than from the experts at Best Buy that they’ve learned to trust.”
– John Felice, General Manager, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Marketing

“We have a strong belief that mobile technology should serve people and help them stay connected whether it’s at home, at work or in the car. We are excited to partner with Ford to educate consumers on its SYNC technology. Best Buy Mobile helps thousands of consumers every day get connected with mobile devices and services that make their lives better, and now we’re ready to do the same thing for Ford SYNC users.”
– Shawn Score, Best Buy Mobile President

“With the cadence of new product releases, we’ve found it is essential to assist our consumers with education on features, benefits and usage. While very intuitive, we’ve taken a proactive approach to SYNC marketing because it’s important that consumers understand just how SYNC has evolved beyond voice-activated music controls. Through these efforts, Ford has provided a touch point for drivers both online and offline to help maximize their driving experience while staying connected to the information they want, when they want it.”
– John Felice, General Manager, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Marketing

What happens when a couple of 100+ year olds share a stage? A Vaudeville variety act? An ornery rant about “young whippersnappers.” A tearful reminiscence of the “good ole days.” Think again.

Popular Mechanics, favorite 107-year-old magazine of geeks everywhere, saluted 106-year-old Ford Motor Company’s fuel efficient EcoBoost™ engine Thursday evening in New York with its Breakthrough Award.

Now in its fifth year, the Breakthrough Awards recognize products and celebrate innovations poised to change the world, and the passionate, smart creators behind them. Ford is the only automaker this year to receive the accolade. Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development accepted the award on behalf of the company.

It Gives You Wings
EcoBoost, which uses turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to boost engine output, reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency by as much as 20 percent marks a major milestone in the Ford strategy to deliver technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains.

The Ford powertrain management strategy uses hundreds of thousands of lines of computer code and related parameters that are adjusted to optimize the engine and transmission operation. It’s these processes that largely make up the more than 125 EcoBoost patent contributions and makes Ford’s use of direct injection and turbocharging of its engines like no other automaker in the world.

By 2013, more than 90 percent of Ford’s North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost technology.

Quotes
“From flying cars to robots to wind turbines for homes, the innovations honored by the 2009 POPULAR MECHANICS Breakthrough Awards not only capture the imagination, they hold the potential to improve and even save lives. We are pleased to honor this year’s diverse list of visionaries, Dean Kamen among them, and applaud their efforts to address such concerns as climate change, pollution, energy shortages and medical care in the developing world.”
– James B. Meigs, Editor-in-Chief, Popular Mechanics

“Ford engineers looked at every available engine configuration, comparing power, price, economy and emissions, determining the best way to power Ford vehicles in the future. EcoBoost technology gives us everything: a combination of the performance buyers expect and fuel economy improvements they demand that, until now, only has been achievable with the latest-generation turbo-diesel powertrains.”
– Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President, Global Product Development, Ford Motor Company

Have you heard about that California parolee who tried to rob a bank while wearing a GPS-enabled electronic tether? No joke. File under: stupid criminal tricks. Isn’t GPS great? And you thought it was only good for confirming that you are indeed quite lost and being stalked by vultures and wolves.

It turns out that GPS may be good for something even more useful than tracking dumb criminals.

A groundbreaking research project by Ford Motor Company and Auburn University shows that global positioning system (GPS) satellites that can “talk” to cars could help prevent serious accidents in the future.

The researchers have found potential for a GPS satellite to act as an early warning system that detects when a vehicle is about to lose control and communicate with the vehicle’s stability control systems and other safety features to prevent a rollover or other serious accident.

The research findings will be presented next week at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 11-14.

The project is part of Ford Motor Company’s $4 million investment in university research programs in 2009, including 16 safety projects.

Auburn University’s GPS and Vehicle Dynamics Laboratory, directed by Dr. David Bevly, received a three-year, $120,000 grant from Ford in 2008 as part of company’s University Research Program. The research team is investigating the use of combining GPS and inertial measurement units data to provide precise information on a vehicle’s motion. The data could be used to improve performance of a vehicle’s electronic stability control system, a computerized technology that improves the safety of a vehicle’s stability by detecting and minimizing skids.

The project’s breakthroughs include developing algorithms combining data from sensors in Ford vehicles with data from GPS receivers. This coordination of data has led to predictive models that can calculate a vehicle’s roll angle, sideslip and velocities under various driving conditions.

Quotes
“A satellite orbiting the earth could someday prevent an auto accident. We applaud the Auburn team for these advancements and look forward to working together on the next phase of this research, including developing prototype vehicles.”
– Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, Ford’s Chief Technical Officer and Vice President, Research and Advanced Engineering

“Stability control is one of the most important safety technologies of this decade. Ford is committed to safety leadership, and research partnerships like our work with Auburn help us achieve success.”
– Jeff Rupp, Manager, Ford Active Safety Systems Engineering

To hear Nancy Gioia, Ford’s director of Global Electrification, talk about Ford’s electric and hybrid vehicle plans click here.

Ford Motor Company is intensifying its focus on global electrification with the creation of a new position to lead the planning and strategy for Ford’s future electric vehicle portfolio.

Nancy Gioia, formerly Ford’s director of Sustainable Mobility Technology and Hybrid Vehicle Programs, North America, has been named director of Ford Global Electrification.

Charging forward
In her new position, Gioia will direct strategy and planning for Ford’s global electric vehicle portfolio, touching all aspects of electrified transportation, including product planning, supplier partnerships and collaboration with the energy industry and government.

Ford’s has announced plans to develop three distinct types of electrified vehicles – hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and pure battery electric vehicles. They include:

• Battery electric Transit Connect commercial van in 2010
• Battery electric Focus passenger car in 2011
• Next-generation hybrid vehicle in 2012
• Plug-in hybrid in 2012

Ford’s electrification strategy is consistent with its commitment to deliver affordable fuel efficient technology to millions of customers. The company is poised to take advantage of rapid advancements in electrified vehicle technology – particularly lithium-ion batteries – while leveraging the scale of global vehicle platforms to ultimately reduce the cost of new electric vehicles.

Global fleet testing under way
The globalization of Ford’s electrification strategy is well under way, with test fleets on both sides of the Atlantic. At the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, Ford of Europe revealed the first of a fleet of battery electric vehicle prototypes based on the Ford Focus, and specially developed to participate in the U.K. government’s “Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles” demonstration initiative next year. The research program aims to test the technology’s suitability for potential future application in Ford’s European passenger car range.

A consortium of Ford, Scottish and Southern Energy and Strathclyde University will use the fleet of 15 prototype Ford Focus BEVs and a charging infrastructure in and around the London Borough of Hillingdon starting in early 2010.

The Focus BEV prototype is based on the current European Ford Focus and will use a new all-electric powertrain, developed with Ford supplier partner Magna. This technology is based on that being developed for Ford’s new-generation C-sized global vehicle architecture that will be launched in North America in 2011.

In North America, Ford and its energy industry partners continue to collaborate on the connectivity issue between electric vehicles and the electric grid. Over the past two years, Ford and its utility partners have logged more than 75,000 miles on a test fleet of plug-in Escape Hybrids. Plug-in hybrid research focuses on four primary areas: battery technology, vehicle systems, customer usage and grid infrastructure.

In addition, Ford has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that “talks” directly with the nation’s electric grid.

Commercial and retail electric products planned
Ford is set to deliver its first electrified vehicle in 2010 when it will launch a pure battery electric Transit Connect small commercial van. The vehicle will be targeted to fleets and businesses with short, defined transportation routes and the ability to return to a central charging location at day’s end.

In 2011, Ford will launch the battery electric Ford Focus passenger vehicle. Built off the new global C platform, the BEV Focus will be produced at the Michigan Assembly Plant for both retail and commercial customers.

Quotes
“We recognize that pursuing electrification as one of our technology paths presents unique challenges for commercialization of the vehicles. It requires us to collaborate with new partners, define new business models, connect to a new infrastructure for the vehicles and meet new customer expectations around the globe.”
– Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering

“Ford is strongly positioned to accelerate its electric vehicle strategy thanks in part to the significant research we’ve already completed. Nancy’s unique background and experience in leading the hybrid technology and electric vehicle product teams position her well to coordinate our electric efforts across product development, sustainability and government affairs as we move to the next frontier of this new form of transportation.”
– Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president, Powertrain Engineering

“This fleet of Focus BEV prototypes is an important step toward developing a realistic solution and viable market for electric vehicles in the U.K., Europe and North America. Our electrification strategy absolutely depends on strong alliances with key partners whose expertise and resources complement our extensive experience and global production capabilities.”
– Nancy Gioia, Director of Ford Global Electrification

“Broad commercialization of electric transportation will require unprecedented collaboration among all stakeholders and new ways of doing business. Ford is committed to help lead the way to find creative solutions to ensure that electrified vehicles can deliver benefits to our customers, the environment and our business around the globe in a sustainable way.”
– Nancy Gioia, Director of Ford Global Electrification

Step No. 1: Reinvent “the wheel” or at least the thing that gets them moving. Step No. 2: Collect dozens of patents for this brilliant reinvention. Step No. 3: Rock the engineering world – again.

Ford’s new high-performance, fuel-saving EcoBoost™ technology is making waves in the engineering community, with the 3.5-liter version of the engine contributing 125 new patents and patent applications. The additions build on Ford Motor Company’s current roster of 4,618 active U.S. patents, with thousands more patent applications pending. Hey, who’s your “geek squad” now?

Ford flexing engineering muscle
EcoBoost powertrain management innovations make up the bulk of the technology’s patents and patent applications. But only those advancements that contribute to cutting-edge engineering make the leap from implementation to invention.

Ford focuses on getting high-quality patents that offer the biggest bang. The strategy is paying off: A 2008 study by the world’s leading patent analyst, The Patent Board™ which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally, found Ford outperformed all other automakers in the quality and significance of its technology patents. The survey indicated that patented Ford technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors.

The recently introduced 2010 Ford Fusion and Fusion Hybrid, which is America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan, have 119 patents to date and more are pending.

Patenting is a global activity at Ford, with experts in the United States, Europe, India and China sharing common processes and reporting through Ford Global Technologies.

It works like this
EcoBoost, which uses turbocharging and direct gasoline injection to boost engine output and reduce emissions without sacrificing fuel economy, marks a major milestone in the Ford strategy to deliver technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains.

The Ford powertrain management strategy uses hundreds of thousands of lines of computer code and related parameters that are adjusted to optimize the engine and transmission operation. It’s these processes that largely make up the EcoBoost patent contribution and makes Ford’s use of direct injection and turbocharging of its engines like no other automaker in the world.

To extract the level of power and efficiency achieved in an engine like the EcoBoost V-6, a remarkable level of precision is required. One example is the amount of control engineers maintain over the fuel injection system:

• The powertrain management strategy uses 10,066 adjustable parameters
• At idle, each injector releases 10.4 milligrams of fuel per injection; put in household terms, that’s 1/25,000 the volume of a can of soda, or 0.2 drops of fuel
• Fuel injection pressure is continuously controlled to between 220 psi and 2150 psi
• Injection timing is adjusted up to 300 times a second

Quotes
“We focus on getting high-quality patents that have the best breakthrough potential for the company.”
– Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies, a wholly owned Ford subsidiary responsible for managing Ford’s intellectual property worldwide

“Ford’s patented technologies are closer to the cutting edge than its competitors.”
– Christine Wren, director of business development for The Patent Board, which tracks and analyzes patents across 17 industries globally

“The secret to Ford’s EcoBoost system isn’t just the hardware – the key is in the Ford control system. Our engineers have the right ‘recipes’ to integrate the various systems like engine, transmission and fuel management, resulting in a seamless, exhilarating driving experience.”
– Brett Hinds, Ford Advanced Engine Design and Development manager