Lincoln Aviator IAV Connects Consumers with World

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 30, 2002 - Advanced electronics featured on a 2003 Lincoln Aviator can turn off a home sprinkler system, check flight information, and review a calendar – all from the driver's seat. Using the latest in wireless and software technology, the vehicle provides a glimpse of the personalized driving experience coming in Ford products in the next few years.

Ford Motor Company’s advanced research group revealed the Intelligent Architecture Vehicle (IAV) at the 2002 Convergence conference in Detroit Oct. 21 through 23.

"Our ultimate goal is to make our customers’ lives easier," says K. Venkatesh Prasad, a technology manager at Ford’s Research Laboratory. "Because our customers spend a great deal of time in their vehicles, we have designed this system to make that time productive by getting our customers access to the information they need in a safe, fast and simple way."

Ford’s Research Lab, working together with key partners in the computer industry, developed the advanced technology to make use of the information and services already available to customers who own a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), cellular phone, and other devices. These technologies offer a rich set of features to the consumer. Moreover, drivers have the safety and ease of giving commands through both a voice-based and touch-screen system.

Applications demonstrated include:

• Personalization
  – this will allow drivers to bring their personal information into their vehicle through a PDA, or other storage device. The vehicle will download this information and reconfigure all systems and services accordingly.
• Personal Information Management (PIM)
  – this service connects to the consumer's PDA and makes the information it contains available to other systems in the vehicle. For example, when making a hands-free phone call the vehicle will find the phone number in the PDA's contact list when a "call" command is given. Also, the vehicle can use information found in a particular calendar appointment to gather needed information for the driver, or to automatically calculate a route to the destination.
• MyHome
  – this allows drivers to automatically access information (such as a grocery list) by communicating with a web-enabled refrigerator, or any other intelligent device, in the driver's home. It also will allow the driver to activate or deactivate their home security system, or any other networked system in their home, all at the push of a button.
• Bluetooth technology
  – this will give drivers hands-free access to their PDA, cell phone, and other devices. For example, if the cell phone in your pocket or purse starts ringing, you simply say, "answer phone." Likewise, a call can be placed by simply saying, "Call Jack at home".
• Real-time navigation
  – this will provide customers with features such as accident notifications on a travel route, service reminders, and e-coupons sent to the graphic on their instrument panel.
• Diagnostics
  – this system provides an interface to the various modules that control a vehicle. It will enable the vehicle to connect to an on-line diagnostics center. Not only can it tell customers what is wrong with their vehicle, but it will also provide names of local dealerships and customers an opportunity to schedule an appointment on the touch screen.
• Software-based MP3 player
  – will present stored play lists to the driver and allow song selection and volume adjustment by voice command. The play list comes from the personalization service, and the actual songs can be downloaded to the vehicle from the consumer's home PC (or other storage device).

Although New-Cars.com checks with auto manufacturers and their representatives to confirm the accuracy of the data, it makes no guarantee or warranty, either expressed or implied with respect to the data presented here. All specifications, prices and equipment are subject to change without notice.

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