Android infotainment system

[Iowa EV Mustang]

With the recent press release about Ford benching the Sync software for a full Android/Google software in the 2025 Explorer and across new models in all their vehicles, do you think the older F150 lightning and MMEs will get a software update to the Android system and discontinue the Ford Sync software?

Verge article

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[garyd9]

With the recent press release about Ford benching the Sync software for a full Android/Google software in the 2025 Explorer and across new models in all their vehicles, do you think the older F150 lightning and MMEs will get a software update to the Android system and discontinue the Ford Sync software?

In my opinion, it would be extremely unlikely that our Mach-E's would be switched from "sync."

 

[macchiaz-o]

do you think the older F150 lightning and MMEs will get a software update to the Android system

Highly doubtful.

While yes it's possible, switching the operating system and user interfaces would require extensive integration and testing with all of the other onboard modules our current SYNC 4A system communicates with. I can't imagine Ford engineering justifying the cost of this and convincing bean counters that it's a worthwhile endeavor.

Starting with newly introduced model years makes a bit more sense as all that testing needs to happen anyway.

 

[AtomicInternet]

Sync 4 runs on the ARM Cortex-A53 CPU using the Blackberry QNX operating system.
https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/11/20211115-nxp.html

Assuming it's TECHNICALLY possible to run Android on this hardware, and that a compatible JavaOS exists for the platform, I'm going to say "highly unlikely" Ford will deploy a complete operating system re-install for existing hardware. I can't even imagine the disaster and lawsuits that would ensue from failed updates that brick the infotainment.

Unfortunately, it's just much easier (and way cheaper) to leave Sync 4 customers as is.

 

[avdonr]

The Android Automotive system requires new hardware and will not be updatable (software wise) for SYNC 4 generation vehicles.

Only way you might be able to get it to work is by doing a retrofit of the board + screen, but even then the rest of the modules in the car wouldn’t work with the Android Automotive system (TCU/GWM specifically) and would cause a bunch of errors/issues.

 

[jeffMachE]

I look at it this way. Ford made their money (not necessarily profit) when they sold the car originally (it was sold to a dealership and then the dealership sold it to us). There are regulations that require Ford to continue to support vehicles that have been sold with spare parts for something like 15 years, so part of the money that Ford received includes an allocation to ensure that parts remain available. Additionally, part of the money that Ford received includes an allocation for future warranty work (this might be as much as 10% btw). And, because Tesla pioneered OTA's, Ford followed and allocates some of the money towards future OTA's for vehicles. Its unclear how long OTA's will be supported for our cars - I can't imagine getting OTA's still once the car goes beyond 5-ish years unless its a significant safety item. Beyond regulations and warranty, Ford doesn't make any more money on the vehicle unless they can collect some subscriptions (BlueCruise, Maps, etc.). Therefore, those are the only systems for which we'll receive updates or that Ford will make available for an upgrade - and a key point is that this is software only.

There is no money to be made in providing an upgrade of the current Sync system to a new Android Automotive system. It would likely require a new CPU and electronics, and would probably cost several thousand in parts (if it could be engineered as a drop in). Plus it would take several hours at a dealership to install the new parts. How many people would be willing to pay upwards of $3K just to upgrade their infotainment? The economics simply don't work.

 

[Snakebitten]

Honestly, if I were to have a crystal ball and was able to verify that 5 years from now my Sync4 system was operating just as good (or better) as it is today? I'd have no reason to be upset that the newer Mach-E's were released with something I can't get.

Sync, Sync2, Sync3, and now Sync4 draw a considerable amount of ire on the forums, but during each era, I never got that frustrated. And Sync4 is like science fiction compared to what my vehicles were equipped with just a decade ago.

Having said all that, I do look forward to the next era. The whole industry is developing at an amazing rate. It's fascinating to witness as an old man.

 

[Just Lurking]

With the recent press release about Ford benching the Sync software for a full Android/Google software in the 2025 Explorer and across new models in all their vehicles, do you think the older F150 lightning and MMEs will get a software update to the Android system and discontinue the Ford Sync software?

Verge article

No chance IMO. Fortunately, the current version of Sync 4 actually works pretty well.

 

[Thunderbuck]

With the recent press release about Ford benching the Sync software for a full Android/Google software in the 2025 Explorer and across new models in all their vehicles, do you think the older F150 lightning and MMEs will get a software update to the Android system and discontinue the Ford Sync software?

Verge article

Current hardware is COMPLETELY incompatible with Google, and that's according to Ford.

They originally announced long ago that the Mach-E and Lightning would be getting the Google-based infotainment system, but they also made it clear that existing users would not be upgraded.

 

[Rabidsquirrel22]

It took them almost 2 years to change a few ugly icons at the top of the screen. Anyone who thinks they're sending an entirely new operating system in an OTA update (even if the hardware was compatible) needs to lay off the good stuff.

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