A bit of the behind the scenes efforts towards Ford+Google's next gen infotainment

[macchiaz-o]

I noticed this recent post from Ford's infotainment software development manager, Husein Dakroub:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/huse...lr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

My guess is we'll see this new infotainment roll out with the next gen Mach-E, maybe in 2-3 more years?

Check the link above for more... Here's a quick copy of his main post but if you read through the comments you can learn about more of the people associated with Ford engineering and management.

This one is special.

I've had the privilege to lead an exceptional development team that took a visionary concept and transformed it into a full scale production system, ushering in a new era for digital experience at Ford/ Lincoln.

New Architecture/CPU/OS, pillar-to-pillar display, effortless User Experience, Real Time 3D renderings, new connected store/partnerships/features, and more. Truly a revolutionary experience for our customers.

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[JohnFoxeSheets]

Good thing he does work for Apple or his next LinkedIn update would be to show he’s no longer employed there, perhaps with a link to his GoFundMe for his legal expenses…

 

[Shayne]

I noticed this recent post from Ford's infotainment software development manager, Husein Dakroub:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/huse...lr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

My guess is we'll see this new infotainment roll out with the next gen Mach-E, maybe in 2-3 more years?

Hope your guess is right and 2 to 3 more editions for us. Hoping our software plateaus at some point prior to that. Maybe that is just another Ford schedule like BC?

For me the size of those monitors is getting a bit ridiculous. Pic shows an updating weather app and google nav on 2 monitors. I thought our monitor was a bit oversized to display current song tags and album art. Based on the pic it appears we may have seen nothing yet.

Do you think a cpu swap and some ram will be offered to update ours or will it just be EOL for sync 4 mustangs? For me the software does not need to do much just needs to do it and do it consistently but I am sure Ford could make some money and loyalty with the offer.

 

[Gullwingdmc]

I thought our monitor was a bit oversized to display current song tags and album art. Based on the pic it appears we may have seen nothing yet.

You have see the Mercedes Hyper Screen right? I can’t wait for Ford to do something like this. I just hope it’s not powered by a 6 year old budget android phone processor like ours is.

 

[kltye]

It'd sure be nice to display actual information at a glance on those large displays. You know, like charging speeds, current power consumption, currently playing song on the radio, road names and charging stations on maps, etc. ?

 

[scoopman]

I noticed this recent post from Ford's infotainment software development manager, Husein Dakroub:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/huse...lr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

My guess is we'll see this new infotainment roll out with the next gen Mach-E, maybe in 2-3 more years?

Check the link above for more... Here's a quick copy of his main post but if you read through the comments you can learn about more of the people associated with Ford engineering and management.

This one is special.

I've had the privilege to lead an exceptional development team that took a visionary concept and transformed it into a full scale production system, ushering in a new era for digital experience at Ford/ Lincoln.

New Architecture/CPU/OS, pillar-to-pillar display, effortless User Experience, Real Time 3D renderings, new connected store/partnerships/features, and more. Truly a revolutionary experience for our customers.

I don’t think this is running their Android stuff. I wonder about the control issues with that many non direct manipulation displays, how are you controlling what’s on them? They’re clearly too far from the driver and front passenger to be touch.

 

[Jimrpa]

But has he solved the incredible challenge of a remote frunk release?

Now THAT would be newsworthy!

 

[macchiaz-o]

Hope your guess is right and 2 to 3 more editions for us. Hoping our software plateaus at some point prior to that.

It's really just me throwing a dart while blindfolded... Our vehicles were revealed in late 2019, including SYNC 4A. By 2026 I'm hoping both have been refreshed or replaced.

For me the size of those monitors is getting a bit ridiculous. Pic shows an updating weather app and google nav on 2 monitors. I thought our monitor was a bit oversized to display current song tags and album art. Based on the pic it appears we may have seen nothing yet.

Yeah I agree. I wonder if there's a calm mode where most of the displays can just be black glass.

The image Husein chose to share is particularly bad with so much redundant info like maps and music, but the official reveal YouTube video doesn't have that issue. So it looks like just engineering/dev displays in Husein's post.

Do you think a cpu swap and some ram will be offered to update ours or will it just be EOL for sync 4 mustangs?

I seriously doubt it would be offered.

I don’t think this is running their Android stuff.

The maps match the color scheme and generally rendering scheme of Google Maps, and a few of the commenters implied participation in the effort in their replies, and they consult or liaison on behalf of Android Automotive.

 

[scoopman]

It's really just me throwing a dart while blindfolded... Our vehicles were revealed in late 2019, including SYNC 4A. By 2026 I'm hoping both have been refreshed or replaced.



Yeah I agree. I wonder if there's a calm mode where most of the displays can just be black glass.

The image Husein chose to share is particularly bad with so much redundant info like maps and music, but the official reveal YouTube video doesn't have that issue. So it looks like just engineering/dev displays in Husein's post.



I seriously doubt it would be offered.



The maps match the color scheme and generally rendering scheme of Google Maps, and a few of the commenters implied participation in the effort in their replies, and they consult or liaison on behalf of Android Automotive.

You’re indeed correct, I’ve confirmed this is the first use of Android Automotive by ford. Interesting they chose to do so on an ICE car manufactured in China.

Also interesting is that they chose not to emphasize at all a Google or Android branding or affiliation.

Gotta see what they did to utilize such a ridiculous amount of screen. I also wonder if this will be utilized with the next gen CarPlay stuff.

 

[SWO]

You’re indeed correct, I’ve confirmed this is the first use of Android Automotive by ford. Interesting they chose to do so on an ICE car manufactured in China.

Also interesting is that they chose not to emphasize at all a Google or Android branding or affiliation.

Gotta see what they did to utilize such a ridiculous amount of screen. I also wonder if this will be utilized with the next gen CarPlay stuff.

As a current owner, the longer Android Automotive is delayed for the Mach-E, the better IMO. I don't want a system that's going to be orphaned (not sure Ford wants to do that either).

Here's a pretty good video showing the interface:



Personally, I think it's one of those things which wows you at the dealer, but the novelty wears off quick (like park assist).

 

[scoopman]

As a current owner, the longer Android Automotive is delayed for the Mach-E, the better IMO. I don't want a system that's going to be orphaned (not sure Ford wants to do that either).

Here's a pretty good video showing the interface:



Personally, I think it's one of those things which wows you at the dealer, but the novelty wears off quick (like park assist).

Thanks for that video, quite performant even in preproduction builds. Obv there are things they’re not showing yet of this software.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Here's a pretty good video showing the interface:



Personally, I think it's one of those things which wows you at the dealer, but the novelty wears off quick (like park assist).

Good video... I noticed the door levers are the same as the Mach-E's.... Cool.

Yeah the wall of screens feels like a fad to me. Once enough people experience it then we can hopefully move on to better designs.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Maybe it’s just me, but none of the info on the right hand side is useful the way it was displayed. It’s seems like they decided to fill the entire width with screens and struggled to fill with useful content. I would much rather have something as simple as what we have in our MMEs, with more responsiveness and integration between CarPlay and the vehicle.

Just because Mercedes Benz went that direction doesn’t mean everyone else needs to.

 

[Blue highway]

Maybe it’s just me, but none of the info on the right hand side is useful the way it was displayed. It’s seems like they decided to fill the entire width with screens and struggled to fill with useful content. I would much rather have something as simple as what we have in our MMEs, with more responsiveness and integration between CarPlay and the vehicle.

Just because Mercedes Benz went that direction doesn’t mean everyone else needs to.

Sadly cars are largely judged by infotainment these days. the "Car" part of the equation is diminishing in comparison.

 

[GreaseMonkey]

Sadly cars are largely judged by infotainment these days. the "Car" part of the equation is diminishing in comparison.

Sure, but this is a major step in the wrong direction. I would not have bought the MME with that infotainment system!

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