This article focused on various
new IT advances that Ford is planning to go through with within the next few
years. One of these advances includes the modems that were already put in
Ford’s electric vehicles. Ford now wants to start using these modems to start
their connected-vehicle data platform. Data will be taken from the vehicle,
with their customer’s permission, because it’s an opt-in program. This data
will then be analyzed
to see if there are more proactive ways Ford can tell customers about service
opportunities. I think Ford has the right idea and by doing this it will make
Ford customers’ daily lives much easier. For example, this new IT will, with
the owners permission, be able to coach
the driver on a better route, knowing that you always do X-Y-Z every single day, connect with your home and as you approach turn your heat
on, or open your garage door, and even pick up on the fact that you stop at
Starbucks every Tuesday and then be able to send you a free coffee on Tuesdays
coupon. I also liked the fact that customers were able to now call through this
system rather than Google an issue they might be having with their Ford.
Although
I think the connected-vehicle data platform is a good idea for Ford, I think
they still have to work out a few issues. First of all, if I owned a Ford I
would be skeptical reading this knowing that they have been tracking me every
time I turn my car on and drive somewhere. I think this aspect of the
connected-vehicle data platform would make some Ford owners uncomfortable. An
issue I had while reading the pluses of having this system, is if Ford would be
able to keep their drivers safe and keep their information private? What
happens if someone is able to hot-wire a Ford car with this system? They would
have more than just access to their car, including access to the driver’s daily
routines and potentially even access to the driver’s home all through the
car-home connection that is provided by this system. My last concern with this
is if the connected-vehicle platform would be too overloading and distracting
for some drivers. It sounds like it would be nice having your car shorten your
Monday route, but what if you have to go to a doctor’s appointment that day?
Then would it be annoying having your car directing you to go to where you
normally go at that time instead of your doctors? Fords main goal should be to improve and not
complicate Ford drivers lives, which they may be doing if they plan to install and
use every aspect they’ve mentioned of this system.
Marcy Klevorn, CIO of Ford, summed up the future of IT innovations for Ford perfectly,“ I think about things such as, is there something I can do inside my vehicle that today I have to do outside my vehicle?”
Marcy Klevorn, CIO of Ford, summed up the future of IT innovations for Ford perfectly,“ I think about things such as, is there something I can do inside my vehicle that today I have to do outside my vehicle?”
Hi Alyssa,
ReplyDeleteI really liked this article. I think Ford is being very smart by trying to advance their IT in their vehicles. However, I agree an believe there could be some problems with this. If the upgrades and IT advancements use personal information- such as daily routes to work and the car gets stolen or broken into, this could result in a really big security breech. Although, I do think that there are some good ideas as well. I like the idea to make life easier for the driver, and the fact that it can pick up on daily routines. But one thing that concerns me is the distractions that these new upgrades could cause to the driver. If the driver was to be able to turn on their heat, that could mean another button to push, and another distraction while driving. And if there is a voice constantly telling you what route to take and you have no intentions of going on that route, it can be very distracting as well. People seem to forget that cars are simply used to get from point A to point B. Although Ford is trying to keep up with the IT of today's society, it could be dangerous to go overboard in a car where all attention is needed at all times.