Ford, University of Michigan Reveal Students' Vision for Future of In-car Cloud Computing Apps
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ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 4, 2010; Students at the University of Michigan have defined their vision for the
future of in-car connectivity - a future that includes applications
combining social networks, GPS location awareness, and real-time vehicle
data in ways that help drivers get where they want to go efficiently, while
having fun along the way.
The experimental apps were developed by students who took part in a
12-week course, Cloud Computing in the Commute, at the university. The
course, initiated by Ford Research & Advanced Engineering, prototyped
social networking and transportation apps as part of a larger Ford
initiative called "American Journey 2.0," a joint open innovation research
project involving Microsoft and Intel, offering students the chance to
innovate the future of the in-car experience.
"We consider the collaboration between Ford and the University of
Michigan a model for innovation and open collaboration, and it's an
exciting way to help shape tomorrow's work force," said Venkatesh Prasad,
group and technical leader of the Infotronics team in Ford Research &
Advanced Engineering. "Our philosophy is to constantly seek new channels of
innovation, and the opportunity to share Ford's platform and expertise in a
university environment has been invaluable."
In the class, the students explored and built applications based on
access to Ford's developmental application platform built on Windows 7 and
Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio, dubbed "Fiestaware," that enabled them
to harness the power of social networks that safely and responsibly connect
to the cloud. The software system is the first of its kind, and provides
access to vehicle performance data, networking services, voice recognition,
social networking tools and other data, as well as the Windows Azure cloud
services platform. Students in the class were able to use the platform to
conceptualize and build a new class of applications as class projects.
As part of the course, students were encouraged to explore the potential
of cloud computing and natural user interfaces including voice and touch in
the car. Defined as Web-based computing using services and software
accessed over the Internet, rather than physically installed on a device,
cloud computing is becoming a major catalyst driving development of new
applications. Users are able to access cloud-based applications and process
data remotely via their Internet data plan across a variety of devices,
without requiring massive amounts of processing power and data storage.
Six teams of students presented their apps to a panel of judges from
Ford, the University of Michigan and Microsoft. The winning application,
called Caravan Track, will run on a Windows 7 PC in a Ford Fiesta research
vehicle that will make a socially networked road trip from the university
to Maker Faire, the world's largest do-it-yourself ideas festival in
Silicon Valley, held in San Mateo, Calif., beginning May 22. The road trip
will leave from Ann Arbor on May 14.
About the apps
Using technology and development tools provided by Ford, Microsoft and
Intel, along with a crash course in vehicle interface design provided by
Ford engineers, the six teams of students crafted these visions for the
future:
-- Caravan Track was judged the winning app. The software allows clusters
of vehicles traveling together to track each other along the journey.
After identifying a route on a main website, users can join to see
fellow travelers; view vehicle telemetry including fuel level and
speed; track each vehicle; map routes; send alerts about stops along
the way; and send text notifications about road conditions and hazards
via a multiple choice interface that eliminates the need to type. Team
members include John Ciccone, Collin Hockey, Sang Park and Joe
Phillips.
-- Fuel Tracker provides drivers with real-time feedback about fuel
economy and driving habits based on past drivers on a specific route.
App users upload their results for different road segments, allowing
users to compare details, compete for top fuel economy and share
suggestions for improving mileage along specific routes. Team members
include Paul Coldren, Amy Kuo, Petch Wannissorn and Clayton Willey.
-- The GreenRide Challenge provides a collaborative ride-sharing system,
attempting to connect drivers with potential carpool passengers in an
effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The app is connected
through Facebook, matching friends who need rides with destinations
entered by the driver - and also allowing the driver to invite friends
to ride. Points would be awarded for ride-sharing, providing for a
possible sponsored reward component. Team members include Scott Dang,
Nate Hill, Raphael Jarrouj and Bryan Summersett.
-- Listen. Speak. Rate. Share. provides users in-car audio reviews for
various points of interest, and also allows drivers to share their
thoughts on visited locations, connecting through Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn and other popular social media sites. Team members include
James Di, Yi-wei Ma, Alok Talekar and Xiaowen Zhang.
-- NostraMap collects data about road and traffic conditions, giving
drivers advance notice about accidents, construction, poor surfaces
and other hazards. The app relies on crowd-sourcing: When a user
encounters a situation, he or she draws a single character on the map
display (A for accident, C for construction, etc.), which is then
updated for all users to see. Team members include Murtuza Boxwala,
Nader Jawad, Justin Taseski and Sui Yan.
-- Points-of-Interest uses a dynamic recommendation system to point
drivers toward locations and businesses that match their interests but
that they may not have otherwise visited. The system uses a complex
algorithm to learn a driver's tastes and interests over time, allowing
it to provide more tailored recommendations and learn the tastes of
users with similar interests. Team members include Ryan James, Brad
Rubin, Dhritiman Sagar and Weihua Wang.
Collaboration key to advancing Ford's connected vehicle strategy
Ford's work with the University of Michigan is a key facet in its plan
to encourage app development for the vehicle, and at the same time harness
the power of social networks and cloud computing to deliver the future of a
grand tradition: the great American road trip.
"Already with SYNCŪ, we have proven that we can access information in
the cloud," said Prasad. "This project gives us the opportunity to harness
the power of student innovation to explore beyond current capabilities and
develop what's next. We provided these students with the tools to innovate,
and in approximately 100 days they created fun, unique and really useful
results."
"This was an incredible opportunity for our students to work closely
with an industrial partner on the leading edge of a growing trend," said
Dr. Brian Noble, associate professor in computer science and engineering at
the University of Michigan. "It's been a powerful experience showing these
kids that there are really cool, high-tech problems waiting to be solved
right here in Michigan. It would have been impossible without the help of
Ford, Microsoft and Intel." Noble co-taught the course with U-M computer
science and engineering associate professor Jason Flinn.
Working with Microsoft and Intel, Ford provided the students with a
developmental application platform built on Windows 7 and Microsoft
Robotics Developer Studio in the vehicle to access Windows Azure in the
cloud.
A project like American Journey 2.0, involving teamwork with a
university's student body, represents a developmental shift for Ford as it
looks for ways to use novel models of open collaboration similar to how
ideas are cultivated in Silicon Valley. The goal is to deliver relevant and
personalized content tailored for an individual driver's unique in-car
experience.
"Through our work with Ford, the University of Michigan and Intel on
this project, Microsoft is helping to further open innovation within the
automotive industry and provide a consistent, connected in-vehicle
experience that seamlessly integrates into consumers' digital lifestyles,"
said David Graff, director of U.S. Automotive and Industrial Equipment
Industry Solutions for Microsoft. "We commend each of these student teams
for their creativity and work in developing these applications and look
forward to continued collaboration opportunities to fuel the connectivity
of future in-car systems with the vast world of Windows."
Intel also contributed expertise and technology tools to the project and
is proud to participate in a project with future developers who will create
the next generation of innovative, connected solutions for the car. "Intel
is committed to offering products and technologies that will bring new
compelling and driver-safe applications to the car," said Staci Palmer,
director of Strategic Market Development, Embedded and Communications
Group, Intel Corporation. "Our involvement in the American Journey 2.0
project is a great example of how Intel is working with industry leaders
like Ford and Microsoft as well as future developers to encourage the
development of connected computing solutions for the vehicle that bring
personalized and relevant content to drivers and passengers."
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich.,
manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about
176,000 employees and about 80 plants worldwide, the company's automotive
brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and, until its sale, Volvo. The
company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For
more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.
