A man that Ford Motor Co. once called “a lead architect” of Ford’s Sync has left the company, raising serious questions about who owns intellectual property vital to the popular voice-controlled infotainment system that it developed in conjunction with Microsoft, reports The Detroit News
Ford tried to get the telematics expert to sign off on several patents — after inventor Joe Berry was terminated in late July. Berry says he is “happy to license” the technology to Ford, but the company has yet to respond. If an agreement is not reached, Ford could be forced to abandon key features of Sync.
The stakes are high, says The Detroit News. Since its introduction in 2007, cars and trucks equipped with the system sell twice as fast as vehicles without it. And with a take-rate of 70 percent, Sync is boosting Ford’s average transaction price and its bottom line.
Ford says Sync is not threatened by Berry’s departure. It claims its lead in telematics remains untouchable. “We do not see any risk to current Sync technology or further innovation and capability development,” said Ford spokesman Alan Hall.
Continental manufactures the hardware, while Microsoft developed the operating system and basic features that allow motorists to control their MP3 player or access their mobile phone’s address book. The traffic information is delivered by Inrix, a Kirkland company, Airbiquity uses cellular voice networks and a Bluetooth connection to the driver’s own cell phone, and Nuance Communications is responsible for the voice-recognition system that allows the driver to control Sync with simple, verbal commands.
Ford designed the user-interface and put the whole package together with the automobile, independent of Berry and his team.
CNET News reporter Daniel Terdiman demonstrates how Audi Q7 SUV integrates with Bluetooth mobile phones like the iPhone. He tested the Q7 as part of Road Trip 2009.
Controlling multi-media in cars (phones, stereo, heating/AC, navigation, etc), requires an intuitive user interface, often with voice recognition.
Those include Audi’s Multi Media Interface, Ford’s Synch, the Mercedes Command system, and BMW’s iDrive. C/Net likes the Mercedes Command APS system the best. The speech technology engine used in by Mercedes is provided by Nuance Communications.
All 2010 Ford vehicles will offer Sync as an option. Telematics Update has the latest bling:
- New Ford SYNC services with turn-by-turn navigation by DeCarta and TeleNav with a TellMe interface.
- Microsoft Mobile 3.0 as a viable alternative to QNX and the “Open Infotainment” platform from the WindRiver, Intel and BMW.
- Toyota Telematics will battle mano a mano with GM’s OnStar using its G-Book Alpha system that lets you request directions to the nearest shopping mall.
- New traffic services are expected from the newly formed North American Traffic Working Group under the sponsorship of the ITS-America, with the mission to make traffic advisories better.
Related DailyWireless stories on transit connectivity include; Hands-free Vehicular Calling, Tracking Tools, Ford Sync Dials 911, In-Vehicle Infotainment: Death Race, CradlePoint: Mobile WiFi/WiMAX Hot Spots, Mercedes myCOMAND, BMW iDrive Gets Makeover, Handheld Intelligent Transportation, Chrysler Offers Internet Access , Chrysler Rolls Out U-connect , Ford Sync, Google Transit Maps + WiFi, Chrysler: Wi-Fi Car This Year, The Connected Bus, Hotspot for Bedouins, Chrysler Getting WiMAXed, Verizon Traffic Mapping , PePWave Mobility: Connectivity for Vehicles, Civic Booster and Microsoft Vrs OnStar.
