DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Ford developing 'wearable' driving interface
Smart watches, fitness trackers and Google glass to be an integral part of future motoringFord claims the wearable research being conducted as part of its Ford Smart Mobility program will take its customers to "the next level of connectivity."
In a press release issued today, the manufacturer revealed that its Research and Innovation Centre in Dearborn, Michigan, is home to the new Automotive Wearables Experience laboratory. This facility will be studying ways of linking wearable devices to future cars for the sake of keeping drivers safer and happier behind the wheel.
"As more consumers begin to embrace smart watches, glasses and fitness bands, we hope to develop future applications that work with those devices to enhance in-car functionality and drivers' personal safety," said Gary Strumolo, global manager for vehicle design and infotronics, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering.
Stress and fatigue are two factors that often feature in car crash statistics, but signs of either could be uploaded to the car from a wearable device for the car to automatically make adjustments to speed, braking distance and lane keeping tolerance, as one example. Such biometric data uploaded could include blood pressure, blood glucose and heart rate. The system would work both ways too, with vibration at the wrist to indicate to the driver when he/she should resume control of the car – when entering a construction zone, for instance.
"Wearable technology integrated with the vehicle allows for more accurate biometric data to stream continuously and alert active safety systems to become more sensitive if the driver is showing signs of compromised health," Strumulo said.
Among the ideas on the table is voice control of the car from a smart watch. This would allow the user to unlock and start the vehicle remotely by means of a MyFord Mobile app on their smart watch.
Ford is throwing out a challenge for app developers to submit ideas for combining wearable devices with motor vehicles to enhance the health and safety of road users. The manufacturer is offering US $10,000 in prizes for the winners. The competition opens from January 20.
Picture courtesy of fancycrave1/Wikimedia Commons
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