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Ford Car Learns Drivers' Likes and Dislikes

18 October 2000

Ford Car Learns Drivers' Likes and Dislikes

    DETROIT, Oct. 17 Ford Motor Company has
developed a sophisticated in-vehicle electronics system that takes "smart"
electronics a giant step closer to reality -- demonstrating a specially
equipped Lincoln LS that can recognize a driver's lifestyle preferences even
before the vehicle is started.
    The vehicle made its worldwide debut at Convergence 2000 today in Detroit.
Using a personalized and secure key fob called iButton from Dallas
Semiconductor, roughly the diameter of a dime, and advanced software
technology from Sun Microsystems and Sensoria, allows the LS to program a
driver's preferred stations, memorize electronic phone books, adjust the
temperature and seat and instantly display a day's errands.  The equipment
Ford Motor Company is showcasing on the Lincoln LS will dovetail into much of
what Wingcast, the telematics provider created by Ford Motor Company and
QUALCOMM Incorporated, is doing.
    With the iButton, a driver now will be instantly recognized by his or her
vehicle by simply touching a marked location on the console.  On the iButton
are "markers" that tell the vehicle the driver's preferences for music,
temperature settings, seat position and even the type of shift pattern in a
transmission he or she may enjoy.
    Ford Motor Company's system shines in its ability to tie key enabling
technologies from the wireless, consumer electronics, entertainment and
automotive sectors into one seamless system, without compromising safety.
    To retrieve voice mail from a cellular phone, a consumer today has to go
through four separate functions -- dialing, entering a pass code, scanning
messages and then determining who to call.  The system in the Lincoln LS knows
what telephone numbers are most important to the driver, quickly highlighting
them on the center console screen until the driver requests the message be
retrieved with a single voice command.
    Wireless short-range technology will recognize the driver's palm held
information, whether in a briefcase or purse.  With that information, the
vehicle will be able to remind the driver of a conference call, then dial the
number if requested.  This communications link is made possible through the
use of special software that enables devices, such as a Palm, to "talk" to a
cellular phone and vice versa.