Ford Motor Company is teaming up with smart driving assistant Automation Labs in order to improve car connectivity and safety for drivers.
The partnership will combine the Automatic Smart Driving Monitor with the Ford Sync voice-command system, such as adding Siri connectivity to Ford Sync so that drivers can press a button on the steering wheel to activate the voice-activated software on their phone, according to CNET. Drivers wouldn't have to touch or even look at their phone for the integration.
Ford Sync's "If This Then That" (IFTTT) action service's recipes can send text messages and emails, as well as activate lights in the house that are connected to the internet.
The two companies said the partnership will lead to more additions to the platform, 9to5mac reported. Ford said it will provide Automatic support to a range of makes and models, such as 2011-2015 Ford Explorer, 2011-2014 Ford F-150, 2013-2015 Lincoln MKS, 2011-2014 Lincoln MKX and the 2015 Lincoln Navigator.
Customers can go to Amazon, Best Buy, and Apple to buy the Automation Link for $99, and Apple will download the app for iPhones for free. Automation said it will make its integration with Ford Sync available in a future iOS update.
Don Butler, executive director of Ford's Connected Vehicles and Services division, said working with other companies is one of the ways that Ford tries to improve the experience of its customers, CNET reported.
"Teaming up with Automatic will bring added capability to Ford Sync, while enhancing the driving experience," Butler said.
