Ford announced an agreement with Amazon to integrate its Alexa digital assistant in the Ford Sync AppLink system in cars. This will give consumers the ability to access their car from home over Alexa-enabled devices and use Alexa functions while in the car.
From home, Alexa users will be able to activate functions such as remote start and lock or unlock doors, as well as get vehicle information using voice commands. When in the car, users will be to listen to audiobooks, ask Alexa to search for local destinations and transfer directions to the navigation system, request news, play music and add items to their Amazon shopping lists. Customers also will be to access Alexa smart home devices from the vehicle, for example to control remotely lighting, security systems and thermostats in their home.
Ford will roll out the Alexa integration in two phases. The first, available later this month, connects the user to the car from home through Alexa devices such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Amazon Tap. The second, expected this summer, allows the in-vehicle features of Amazon integration, which are currently in beta testing with Ford employees. Ford customers with electric cars will be the first to access the new features, and the service will be available eventually to all cars with Ford Sync 3 AppLink.
