Ford delays switch to Android Automotive until 2023

[DRuth086]

Last February, Ford announced that it was partnering with Google for its infotainment operating system. The automaker had used Blackberry QNX as the underlying OS for Sync 4, but like many other manufacturers, it has found Android Automotive to be a compelling alternative. Unfortunately for Ford, that migration is not going very smoothly. Ford CEO Jim Farley told The Verge that the company is months behind schedule.

"We're making a lot of progress. I’m very impressed with the team that Google has put in place. They've been very accommodating—you can imagine that we don't want a generic solution for the instrument panel for Mustang. We want, like, line lock to do a burnout. But it is slightly delayed, so that’ll be later in the fall," Farley told the Verge.

The first Android Automotive car on sale was the electric Polestar 2, and since then, the OS has also been showing up in new models from General Motors and Stellantis.

This delay means that early F-150 Lightnings—Ford's hotly anticipated electric pickup—will ship with Sync 4 and will not be able to be upgraded to Android Automotive at a later date. Buyers of model year 2023 F-150 Lightnings will find the Android-based OS in their pickups.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2022/04/ford-delays-switch-to-android-automotive-until-2023/

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[benk016]

The article that came out a year or so back stated 2023 for it to start rolling out. Doesn't seem like much of a delay to me.

 

[Earplug]

A very key point for F-150 and assuming MME

will ship with Sync 4 and will not be able to be upgraded to Android Automotive at a later date

 

[benk016]

A very key point for F-150 and assuming MME

will ship with Sync 4 and will not be able to be upgraded to Android Automotive at a later date

Correct. Completely different hardware all around.

Could be a chance for unofficial upgrades though the same way people do sync 2 to sync3 swaps on older cars. But we'll have to actually wait for the hardware to come out to know.

 

[RickMachE]

While it's pretty clear that the 2021 and 2022 Mach-Es are probably not going to be upgraded, where's the definitive source that says that 2022 F-150Ls cannot be? They have different hardware, i.e. further generation ahead.

 

[benk016]

While it's pretty clear that the 2021 and 2022 Mach-Es are probably not going to be upgraded, where's the definitive source that says that 2022 F-150Ls cannot be? They have different hardware, i.e. further generation ahead.

The APIM will be completely different for cars with android automotive. It won't just be an update for any cars. F150 lightning is running the same hardware as the MME. Just a newer version of sync.

 

[4sallypat]

The APIM will be completely different for cars with android automotive. It won't just be an update for any cars. F150 lightning is running the same hardware as the MME. Just a newer version of sync.

Yes, sort of like the transition from PC to Mac is totally different hardware; Windows 10 to 11 is an upgrade using existing hardware.

Frankly, I don't care much for the infotainment systems - hardly use it except for phone calls via bluetooth.

Just happy I can use wireless CarPlay on Sync 4 on my 2022 Lightning that is arriving this summer!

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