bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Good news...

Ford to launch new Sync infotainment system to address complaints


Ford Motor Co. is moving to address one of the biggest complaints about its vehicles -- the glitchy in-dash Sync technology system that controls everything from temperature settings to phone calls and music selection.

Ford said Thursday it will introduce Sync 3 in its new Ford and Lincoln cars, starting with the 2016 model year. Almost all of its models are expected to have the new system by the 2017 model year.
Engineers from the automaker said the communications and entertainment system is a complete redesign that is faster, more intuitive and easier to use, with enhanced response to driver commands.

Only people purchasing new cars will have the new system. Although Sync 3 will have the capacity to take Wi-Fi updates just like a smartphone or tablet, Ford won’t be able to upgrade existing vehicles.
The complexity and unreliability of the Sync system has plagued Ford since it introduced the system in 2007.

Problems with in-dash technology contributed to a below average rating for Ford in this year’s U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study from J.D. Power.

Technology issues also have become the most prevalent type of problem with new vehicles, according to a J.D. Power report on consumer reaction to the features on their newly purchased cars. The biggest source of the complaints are built-in voice recognition systems. That's a problem Ford said it has addressed with the new system.

Ford already has made some reliability improvements to existing versions of Sync, said Thomas Mutchler, the vehicle interface program manager at Consumer Reports.

“Thanks to this, products like the Taurus and Explorer moved to average reliability in our survey,” Mutchler said.

But to make Sync competitive with the best in-dash systems from other automakers, Ford needs to have larger on-screen fonts, simpler screens with fewer options, make the function of controlling the radio or phone easier and add some normal buttons and *****, Mutchler said

That is exactly what Ford is doing with Sync 3, said Parrish Hanna, Ford’s global director of human machine interface. Ford reviewed 22,000 comments and suggestions as it crafted the redesign.

The bottom line was that people wanted the system to work consistently and operate more like a phone or tablet, he said.

Improving the logic that controls voice recognition was a major focus of the redesign.
The system has a better understanding of what drivers are asking for. Previously, the driver would have to ask the computer to play music and then name the artist. Now, Hanna said, you can say, “Play Katy Perry” and it will put her on rather than call her. Similarly, you will be able to say, “find P.F. Chang's” rather than the exact name “P.F. Chang’s China Bistro” and the navigation will take you to the nearest restaurant from the chain.

Hanna said the new Sync understands the different ways people describe things. For example, you can ask for an address at “eleven-forty-five Main St.” rather than spelling out “one-one- four-five.”
Other irritants tackled by Ford engineers: Now if the driver has the music screen displayed when turning off the car, that screen pops back up when the vehicle is started again. It doesn’t default back to a home screen. Font sizes are larger and the system uses a light sensor to adjust screen lighting to deal with glare or darkness.

The touch points on the screen are more accurate so drivers are less likely to call up a function they don’t want. There are also more mechanical buttons to use as alternate controls.
As it designed the new system, Ford found that what controls people wanted to use varied by function.

“When you ask people to change the temperature, most look for a dial to turn,” Hanna said. “But when you ask them to play music, they look at the screen first. That comes from using iPods and iPads and Pandora and other music services.”

Ford reduced complexity in the system by having the interface prioritize the options customers use most. The home screen has three zone choices: Navigation, Audio and Phone. Easy-to-read, tile-like icons dominate the screen. Phone contacts can be searched by finger swipe.

“We considered all the modern smartphones and mobile operating systems and created something familiar but unique,” Hanna said.

http://www.latimes.com/business/auto...211-story.html

pbm317

Structure/Layout, at first glance reminds me a bit of the Chrysler UConnect, which is pretty well-received as an intuitive interface with good graphics.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

It's even in some Italian cars no?

Agree it functions well

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

I'd still rather have Apple Carplay/Android Auto...

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

oh that's a given

pbm317

Good enough for the Maserati Ghibli apparently haha

spwolf

they are ditching Microsoft and going to use QNX, like most of systems do these days (Toyota/Lexus use QNX as well).

FrankReynoldsCPA

Of course. The Fiat Charger, the Fiat Challenger, the Fiat 1500/2500/3500, the Fiat Durango, the Fiat Dart, etc.

Agreed. Almost makes me want to get a new car when they have Android Auto available. But I'll hold out.


I should also add that I have had very few issues with Sync in my Fusion. Granted, I don't have MyFord Touch, so that eliminates most of the problems. What I do get is occasionally it won't work with Amazon MP3 on my phone, or sometimes it won't recognize my voice that well. The biggest problem I've had is the system will just freeze up or only play AM/FM until I restart the car. BUT, it only happens once in a blue moon. Overall I am happy.

cino

iTrader: (1)

Forget Sync 3, Focus RS and GT350R are coming.

On the serious note, I hope Sync 3 is available in Focus RS at launch. I plan to trade my 15 WRX in for that because Mazda seems like they don't want to sell me MS3.

tex2670

BlackBerry? Are they serious? There's a decent chance BlackBerry will cease to exist as a company by the time Sync 3 debuts in Fords.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

while blackberry's phone business may be toast, i don't think they're going away.

mmarshall

Do you have the Sync or MYTOUCH system in your own Explorer, bit, or is it too old?

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2011 Explorer and up would have it. Bit has the 2006-2010 iirc

spwolf

Its QNX that got purchased by Blackberry few years back... it is used by Toyota/Lexus and most other manufacturers... will probably become defacto standard in the industry.

Of course, thats the basic operating system beneath... then manufacturers and their partners build software on top of it.

Vladi

Apple Carplay and Android Auto are top layers of QNX foundation as well.