64 www.autotechreview.com

DECOD ING TECHNOLOGY

More than seven years back, Ford Motor

Company and Microsoft joined hands to

collaborate on developing an advanced

software platform that enables drivers to

concentrate on the road, while voice

commands take over the job of manag-

ing the music being played, or even

attending to phone calls.

SYNC, as the platform is called, is an

in-car connectivity system that allows

customers the convenience and flexibil-

ity to bring digital media players and

Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones to

operate via voice commands.

The release of SYNC was announced

at the Detroit International Auto Show

in January 2007, and was subsequently

introduced in retail markets the same

year. The first Ford product to feature

SYNC in India is the just-launched

EcoSport. Since its market introduction,

Ford has reportedly sold over 5 mn cars

and trucks with SYNC, and the com-

pany expects to sell an additional 9 mn

by 2015.

WHAT LIES INSIDE?

At the heart of SYNC is Windows

Embedded Automotive, a powerful and

reliable software platform from the

Microsoft stable. The platform, which

can be updated at any given time, allows

the vehicle maker to deliver a compre-

hensive control and connectivity pack-

age to the consumer. The platform sup-

ports integration of new capabilities to

take advantage of latest innovations in

consumer technology.

SYNC ensures a high level of privacy

to the stored data on a consumer’s

mobile device. Unlike embedded connec-

tivity systems, SYNC allows access to

user’s stored contact information only

when the phone is connected. Owners of

the EcoSport, for instance, could pair up

to 12 different mobile devices wirelessly

using Bluetooth. The centrally located

display screen projects all the relevant

data, like one sees on their phones.

The system recognises up to 150

unique voice commands. In addition, it is

capable of identifying varying types of

accents and vocabulary. The voice tech-

nology has been developed by Ford in

association with its voice technology part-

ner, Nuance Communications. In India,

SYNC will be available in UK English.

Nuance’s natural text-to-speech technol-

ogy is also behind “Serena”, the female

voice of SYNC’s UK English version.

KEY FEATURES

Uninterrupted connections: SYNC lets

you continue your conversation, as it

transfers your call to the system the

moment you start the car.

Automatic phone book download:

SYNC automatically downloads the

names and numbers programmed in

your compatible phone to save you time

and trouble. To ensure privacy, the

stored contact information is accessible

only when the phone is connected.

Voice-control your phone: SYNC allows

you to answer a call at the push of a but-

ton, and make a call through voice

commands.

Voice-activated music: SYNC lets you

browse the music collection on the digi-

tal media player, mobile phone or USB

drive by genre, album, artist and song

title using voice commands, such as

“Play genre Rock”.

Audible text messaging: SYNC can read

out incoming texts and even translate

commonly used abbreviations and

emoticons, such as LOL and :-). You can

respond with up to 15 preset outgoing

messages.

SYNC: FORD’S CONNECTIVITY PLATFORM

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO

Jacob B

Jane S

Jessica L

Joe J

Groups +

J

All Contacts

Say “Callcontact name” todial your friends

Q

A

W

S

E

D

R

F

T

G

Y

H

Sounds Good!

Reply to textswith predefined

responses

Handsfreephone calls

Audible SMStext messages

EmergencyAssistance

feature in theevent of an accident

Say “Playartist Coldplay”to switch songs

with easeg e n r ea r t i s ta l b u ms o n gp l a y l i s t

Ask SYNCwhat song is

playing

StereoBluetooth

streaming of musicEasy to

update software

Connectflash drives &other storage

devices

SYNC Provides a Number of Functions:

g e n r ea r t i s ta l b u ms o n gp l a y l i s t

Connect mobile phones via Bluetooth

Easy-to-use voice commands allowfor key functions with a single request

Connect media players via USB,and 3.5mm audio jack

5 ways tobrowse music:

Createplaylists of

similar music

64_Decoding Technology_ATR_July 2013.indd 64 01-07-2013 13:17:03