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Ford, University of Michigan Reveal Students' Vision for Future of In-car Cloud Computing Apps

ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 4 — (PRNewswire) —




Students at the University of Michigan have defined their vision for the future of in-car connectivity – a future that includes applications combining social networks, GPS location awareness, and real-time vehicle data in ways that help drivers get where they want to go efficiently, while having fun along the way.

The experimental apps were developed by students who took part in a 12-week course, Cloud Computing in the Commute, at the university. The course, initiated by Ford Research & Advanced Engineering, prototyped social networking and transportation apps as part of a larger Ford initiative called "American Journey 2.0," a joint open innovation research project involving Microsoft and Intel, offering students the chance to innovate the future of the in-car experience.

"We consider the collaboration between Ford and the University of Michigan a model for innovation and open collaboration, and it's an exciting way to help shape tomorrow's work force," said Venkatesh Prasad, group and technical leader of the Infotronics team in Ford Research & Advanced Engineering. "Our philosophy is to constantly seek new channels of innovation, and the opportunity to share Ford's platform and expertise in a university environment has been invaluable."

In the class, the students explored and built applications based on access to Ford's developmental application platform built on Windows 7 and Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio, dubbed "Fiestaware," that enabled them to harness the power of social networks that safely and responsibly connect to the cloud. The software system is the first of its kind, and provides access to vehicle performance data, networking services, voice recognition, social networking tools and other data, as well as the Windows Azure cloud services platform. Students in the class were able to use the platform to conceptualize and build a new class of applications as class projects.

As part of the course, students were encouraged to explore the potential of cloud computing and natural user interfaces including voice and touch in the car. Defined as Web-based computing using services and software accessed over the Internet, rather than physically installed on a device, cloud computing is becoming a major catalyst driving development of new applications. Users are able to access cloud-based applications and process data remotely via their Internet data plan across a variety of devices, without requiring massive amounts of processing power and data storage.

Six teams of students presented their apps to a panel of judges from Ford, the University of Michigan and Microsoft. The winning application, called Caravan Track, will run on a Windows 7 PC in a Ford Fiesta research vehicle that will make a socially networked road trip from the university to Maker Faire, the world's largest do-it-yourself ideas festival in Silicon Valley, held in San Mateo, Calif., beginning May 22. The road trip will leave from Ann Arbor on May 14.

About the apps

Using technology and development tools provided by Ford, Microsoft and Intel, along with a crash course in vehicle interface design provided by Ford engineers, the six teams of students crafted these visions for the future:


Collaboration key to advancing Ford's connected vehicle strategy

Ford's work with the University of Michigan is a key facet in its plan to encourage app development for the vehicle, and at the same time harness the power of social networks and cloud computing to deliver the future of a grand tradition: the great American road trip.

"Already with SYNC®, we have proven that we can access information in the cloud," said Prasad. "This project gives us the opportunity to harness the power of student innovation to explore beyond current capabilities and develop what's next. We provided these students with the tools to innovate, and in approximately 100 days they created fun, unique and really useful results."  

"This was an incredible opportunity for our students to work closely with an industrial partner on the leading edge of a growing trend," said Dr. Brian Noble, associate professor in computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan. "It's been a powerful experience showing these kids that there are really cool, high-tech problems waiting to be solved right here in Michigan. It would have been impossible without the help of Ford, Microsoft and Intel." Noble co-taught the course with U-M computer science and engineering associate professor Jason Flinn.

Working with Microsoft and Intel, Ford provided the students with a developmental application platform built on Windows 7 and Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio in the vehicle to access Windows Azure in the cloud.

A project like American Journey 2.0, involving teamwork with a university's student body, represents a developmental shift for Ford as it looks for ways to use novel models of open collaboration similar to how ideas are cultivated in Silicon Valley. The goal is to deliver relevant and personalized content tailored for an individual driver's unique in-car experience.

"Through our work with Ford, the University of Michigan and Intel on this project, Microsoft is helping to further open innovation within the automotive industry and provide a consistent, connected in-vehicle experience that seamlessly integrates into consumers' digital lifestyles," said David Graff, director of U.S. Automotive and Industrial Equipment Industry Solutions for Microsoft. "We commend each of these student teams for their creativity and work in developing these applications and look forward to continued collaboration opportunities to fuel the connectivity of future in-car systems with the vast world of Windows."

Intel also contributed expertise and technology tools to the project and is proud to participate in a project with future developers who will create the next generation of innovative, connected solutions for the car. "Intel is committed to offering products and technologies that will bring new compelling and driver-safe applications to the car," said Staci Palmer, director of Strategic Market Development, Embedded and Communications Group, Intel Corporation. "Our involvement in the American Journey 2.0 project is a great example of how Intel is working with industry leaders like Ford and Microsoft as well as future developers to encourage the development of connected computing solutions for the vehicle that bring personalized and relevant content to drivers and passengers."

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and, until its sale, Volvo. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company

Contact:
Ford Motor Company
University of Michigan
Microsoft
Intel
Maker Faire
Alan Hall
Phone: +1-313-594-3744
Email Contact Caitlin McCabe (Microsoft)
Phone: +1-646-225-4722
Email Contact Nicole Casal Moore (U-M)
Phone: +1-734-647-7087
Email Contact
Web: http://www.ford.com