Photo: Ford
Ford was at the forefront of connecting drivers and cars when it developed Sync years ago, and now the automaker is looking to take another step in vehicle connectivity by becoming the first automaker to host an app developer conference. Taking place during CTIA’s Super Mobility Week, Ford is then hoping the conference will help challengers to create new app ideas to improve upon the current Sync AppLink technology.
The conference is geared toward people wanting to learn more about the possibilities of future technologies using vehicle-generated data. The goal is to attract developers looking to create “innovative apps that enhance or redefine the automobile’s role in an overall connected life.”
Following the conference, developers will then be invited to a 12-hour hackathon where Ford will choose the top 50 teams to compete in the Ford Connected Car-Connected City App Pursuit contest. These participants will create a new vehicle app, and they will have support from Ford’s development team. These teams will have access to Ford vehicle data as well as information from the City of Los Angeles including data including crime, collisions and airport traffic among many others.
“Major technology companies host annual developer conferences, but this is the first time an auto manufacturer has hosted such an event. We are extremely excited to partner with the Connected Car Expo, CTIA and the City of Los Angeles, to leverage their combined audiences and data points to create groundbreaking apps,” said John Ellis, Global Technologist and Head of Developer Program for Ford.
At the end of the Super Mobility Week, the top 10 apps will be announced, and will move on to the Connected Car Expo at the LA Auto Show. Although it’s not exactly clear what the actual prize is for the contest, the winning teams will be invited on stage with Ford to present their new app at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, which takes place in Las Vegas from January 6-9, 2015.
Following the conference, developers will then be invited to a 12-hour hackathon where Ford will choose the top 50 teams to compete in the Ford Connected Car-Connected City App Pursuit contest. These participants will create a new vehicle app, and they will have support from Ford’s development team. These teams will have access to Ford vehicle data as well as information from the City of Los Angeles including data including crime, collisions and airport traffic among many others.
“Major technology companies host annual developer conferences, but this is the first time an auto manufacturer has hosted such an event. We are extremely excited to partner with the Connected Car Expo, CTIA and the City of Los Angeles, to leverage their combined audiences and data points to create groundbreaking apps,” said John Ellis, Global Technologist and Head of Developer Program for Ford.
At the end of the Super Mobility Week, the top 10 apps will be announced, and will move on to the Connected Car Expo at the LA Auto Show. Although it’s not exactly clear what the actual prize is for the contest, the winning teams will be invited on stage with Ford to present their new app at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, which takes place in Las Vegas from January 6-9, 2015.
Google News