• by Tanya Gazdik , Yesterday

Apple and Ford today announced that Apple Maps will be integrated directly into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, making Ford the first automaker to embed the system directly into its vehicles.

The integration will deliver a navigation experience powered by Apple Maps directly to the vehicle’s displays.

“The pickup — with Ford testing preproduction models on roads now — is expected to start at $30,000 when it comes to market in 2027," according to the Detroit Free Press. "Ford has said several other EVs off that platform will follow, including a small all-electric SUV.”

The platform will offer drivers turn-by-turn directions using natural language, real-time traffic and incident information, intuitive search featuring detailed place cards, and routing options to help users easily find the best route to their destination. 

“Latitude AI, Ford's wholly owned subsidiary focused on autonomous driving, is developing the company's in-house advanced driving system. The Ford Large Driving Model supports a range of self-driving capabilities and has been derived from millions of miles of real-world driving data,” according to Fox Business. “Ford and Latitude are designing both the hardware and software to be easily scalable across the automaker's lineup of vehicles.”

The drivers of the new EVs will benefit from an intelligent EV routing functionality, including battery preconditioning. 

Ford will also use road-level information from Apple Maps as part of the development of its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability to deliver a more seamless on-ramp-to-off-ramp experience.

In addition to the integration of Apple Maps into Ford’s UEV Platform, Apple CarPlay will continue to be available on Ford vehicles.

“Many carmakers have been reluctant to work too closely with technology companies like Apple and Google, fearful of giving up revenue and relationships with customers to companies with far greater financial resources. Apple’s $4.8 trillion stock market valuation dwarfs Ford’s valuation of $58 billion,” according to The New York Times. “Many newer car companies like Tesla and Rivian never allowed their customers to use CarPlay or Android Auto, the Google equivalent, in their cars. Tesla and Rivian developed their own software systems, which allow users to download certain apps made by other companies.”

Some executives at established automakers plan to emulate that model.

“General Motors has said it intends to replace CarPlay in all new cars with GM software,” notes The New York Times. “The cars will still have access to certain apps from Apple, Google and other companies, but the automaker will control the operating system.”