Ford further empowers Australian voices through launch of SYNC2

**russellw** · 22-08-2014, 11:52 AM

MELBOURNE, 21 Aug, 2014- Ford is setting a new benchmark for in-car technology, with the arrival of SYNC2, the second generation of the company’s in-car communications and entertainment system. The innovation will first hit Australian roads later this year.

SYNC2 is controlled by voice, along with commands issued through an 8-inch, high-resolution touchscreen in the car's dashboard. The driver can control the car's entertainment system, climate control, satellite navigation and linked mobile devices - like compatible smartphones and tablets - with voice commands.
New introductions to the system include pushing the voice control button and saying "I'm hungry" to bring up a list of local restaurants. You can use SYNC2 to call up the restaurant to make a reservation, then provide guidance to the location with turn-by-turn directions.

Other natural language commands include "warmer" to turn up the air conditions, or "Temperature 20 degrees" for more specificity.
SYNC2 now understands Australian addresses so the driver can use voice control to say the whole address at once and SYNC2 will intuitively work it out.

In addition, a full address is no longer required for a point of interest location. Instead the drive can say "Find a car park," for example, and the system will understand; to further aid navigation, landmarks and major road junctions are now shown in 3D to make them clearer and easier to understand.

Where previously a string of voice commands was required to play music from an attached smartphone or MP3 player, SYNC2 now understands if you just say the name of an artist or track, and the cover art will be displayed on the car's 8-inch screen with compatible players.
“Australian drivers are fast adopters of in-car technology, so we’re extremely excited to introduce SYNC2 to the ever evolving list of Ford-developed technologies Ford drivers can now experience while on the road,” said Bob Graziano, Chief Executive Officer and President at Ford Motor Company of Australia. "SYNC2 brings a new level of sophistication to voice control, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel."

**kypez** · 22-08-2014, 12:15 PM

As I posted earlier, I've heard 3 news reports about the 000 call feature this morning! They arent even ads! Great publicity for the car!

ltd · 22-08-2014, 12:37 PM

In real world conditions, this kind of technology will be fantastic. I know myself I currently use Siri to help my find an address and or contact numbers of a particular business, so this will be wonderful. For me the hardest decision about purchasing an FGX, is what model to buy - G6E turbo or a luxury pack XR8.

**Polyal** · 22-08-2014, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kypez

As I posted earlier, I've heard 3 news reports about the 000 call feature this morning! They arent even ads! Great publicity for the car!

Im sure they have sorted it but imagine the issues if the system was buggy?

The system looks good and I like the touch screen.

**kypez** · 22-08-2014, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Im sure they have sorted it but imagine the issues if the system was buggy?

The system looks good and I like the touch screen.

There was another post somewhere on how it works. It needs the critical event of the airbags being deployed to work. So it should be safe?!

But you're right that any software can have bugs!

**FoxtrotGolfXray 5.0** · 22-08-2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Im sure they have sorted it but imagine the issues if the system was buggy?

The system looks good and I like the touch screen.

The 'Emergency Assistance' function is on the ST and in the 12 months I have owned the vehicle, there has not been one glitch. Mind you, I have never been in the situation where the system should have operated only to find that it didn't

Craig H

GAFA · 22-08-2014, 07:28 PM

The Emergency Assistance function has also been on the Ford Kuga MK2 since it's release last year, however Joe Public wouldn't know it due to Fords stupid advertising for the Kuga.

Bossxr8 · 23-08-2014, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

Im sure they have sorted it but imagine the issues if the system was buggy?

The system looks good and I like the touch screen.

The system works extremely well. I never had any issues with it and they were earlier builds. So it looks like an SZ Territory touchscreen disaster has been avoided and lessons learnt.

Gadgetman · 23-08-2014, 12:57 PM

well its a new benchmark for australia anyway. They are running with version 4.0 in the US atm. Great new tech!

csv8 · 23-08-2014, 01:26 PM

Its Windows 8 based drivers will have to get used too tiles! !!!! !

richo77 · 23-08-2014, 01:48 PM

Do people use voice commands? I tried it in a loaner Focus and wasnt impressed, hopefully this version will kick it up a notch and be glitch free.

**Polyal** · 23-08-2014, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The system works extremely well. I never had any issues with it and they were earlier builds. So it looks like an SZ Territory touchscreen disaster has been avoided and lessons learnt.

Oh man what a Richard that was! There must be some major parameters that need to be triggered as you can have the bags go off and it not be thaaaaat bad. Anyway it's a talking point so that's good.

XtRmn8 · 23-08-2014, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAFA

The Emergency Assistance function has also been on the Ford Kuga MK2 since it's release last year, however Joe Public wouldn't know it due to Fords stupid advertising for the Kuga.

Also been in the Fiesta and Focus for a while now.

Shonky. · 24-08-2014, 08:06 AM

I'd rather them empower Australians by not scuttling Australian manufacturing

Worst. Headline. Ever.

Edit - Don't mean to be overly negative, I know people will think that. But that is an advertorial, written with Ford. Their choice of words is appalling. For them to suggest they are empowering us by importing technology that recognises our voices is the ultimate in drawing a long bow.

It will be a lot of years before they can use language about empowering Australians after what has transpired.

To me, their tact is comparable to playing "another one bites the dust" at a funeral

**DJM83** · 24-08-2014, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psychobimbo

The 'Emergency Assistance' function is on the ST and in the 12 months I have owned the vehicle, there has not been one glitch. Mind you, I have never been in the situation where the system should have operated only to find that it didn't

Craig H

Mine has had a cpl issues, like the screen doesnt dome on sometimes, cant change song and it may change from AUX to radio after car is turned off.
Other than that its faultless.

Gadgetman · 24-08-2014, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shonky.

I'd rather them empower Australians by not scuttling Australian manufacturing

Worst. Headline. Ever.

Edit - Don't mean to be overly negative, I know people will think that. But that is an advertorial, written with Ford. Their choice of words is appalling. For them to suggest they are empowering us by importing technology that recognises our voices is the ultimate in drawing a long bow.

It will be a lot of years before they can use language about empowering Australians after what has transpired.

To me, their tact is comparable to playing "another one bites the dust" at a funeral

Absolutely. Their choice of headline tags are nothing short of shyte.
EG: " Ford Australia is transforming our business"
Which really means. We are closing our manufacturing and making redundant thousands of employees but we believe you the consumer can fall for a ****** tagline such as that.

I am not **** caning Ford. Cause i believe their vehicles are great. I am **** caning Ford cause of the spanners that represent that company in Australia have done a great job of screwing things up time and time again.

Bossxr8 · 24-08-2014, 09:06 PM

I'm starting to hate everytime they issue a press release about Falcon or Territory that they have to tack that "we're transforming our business" ***** on the end, and they will talk about the imports.

It's disrespectful to the locally made stuff and the employees who build them.

xr6turboford · 24-08-2014, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Mine has had a cpl issues, like the screen doesnt dome on sometimes, cant change song and it may change from AUX to radio after car is turned off.
Other than that its faultless.

Our ST does the same thing can be a little frustrating having to go from AUX to radio then back to AUX to change songs. Hope Ford have a fix as the ST is due for a service