![]() ![]() For instance, in addition to a touchscreen activation button, drivers will be able to activate the voice assistant by saying, “OK, Ford” if they prefer to keep their hands on the wheel. The voice assistant in SYNC 4 is being carried over from the previous iteration of the platform, but is addressing some of the concerns and suggestions of Ford drivers, the company said. Though the new platform will include over-the-air software updates so that Ford can patch and improve the system over time, it will remain within Ford’s control, rather than adopting a platform from one of the big tech companies. The fourth generation of Ford’s SYNC system will be part of Ford’s models starting in 2020, although the company didn’t say which models will get the new version or when. The SYNC 4 infotainment system will use Ford’s proprietary software and simultaneously provide access to other voice assistants, among other major updates. Even the SYNCH 4 interface, with features such as HVAC tuning anchored close to the physical switch panel and a card-driven graphical interface with a degree of customisation for regularly used features, is clear and straightforward, and it shouldn’t take users long to acclimate themselves with the system.The next generation of Ford cars will include a more capable and flexible voice assistant platform, the company announced on Wednesday. ![]() Our approach caters to both the more technologically astute and those who wish to be more hands-on in the control of their vehicle’s ancillaries. For instance, we’ve retained the dials and buttons for the broader features of the HVAC system, as well as the drivetrain select interface (dial for the terrain management and low/high range) and gear shifter. While we’ve opted to go with the touchscreen for many of the cabin’s ancillary controls – an approach more auto manufacturers are adopting going forward – we’ve tried to balance it out with physical interfaces for systems that are often used on the fly. Will it ever be as intuitive as physical controls, though? It also contributes to a much cleaner cabin aesthetic that allows other design cues to really shine. Migrating such functions into a central hub such as SYNC 4 not only affords access to richer connectivity features but also proves handy as a clear and sizeable display for off-road functions such as the 360-degree camera feed fitted to such models. For one, it allows us to accommodate greater functionality into the vehicle’s cabin without resorting to dozens of switches on the facia – something for which earlier Ford models were often criticised. In the case of physical switches, things such as repeated use over a long time period or the ingress of dirt and moisture can affect their function can lead to material fatigue, or impairment of motion or relay connection – things that are less likely to affect a touchscreen such as SYNC 4.Īre there other benefits to adopting SYNC 4?ĭefinitely. You have to remember that whether you’re talking about a touchscreen or a physical switch, both rely upon relays and solenoids to transfer a signal from the user (a switch being flicked or a screen menu being pressed) to the system in question. This construction also means that in the event of an accident, the screen won’t splinter into shards that could further injure occupants. The screen features a layered laminate composite construction that’s similar to the Gorilla Glass you’d find on the screen of your smartphone, affording it protection against knocks and scratches. This means that testing for vibration, heat and the ingress of things such as moisture and dust have been accounted for in its development. Both the 10,1- and 12-inch displays have undergone the same rigorous testing schedule as the Rangers into which they’re fitted. ![]()
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