Ford Motor Company unveiled a new in-vehicle infotainment system this week aimed at providing drivers and passengers with an immersive digital experience while on the road. Dubbed the “Digital Experience”, the system will debut in 2024 model year Lincoln vehicles before expanding across other Ford brands.
Massive Panoramic Displays Anchor New System
A standout feature of the Digital Experience is its optional 48-inch panoramic display spanning nearly the entire width of the vehicle dashboard. Ford states this is the largest screen installed in any production vehicle to date.
The massive screen aims to provide an engaging and customizable digital environment for drivers and passengers. Content can be displayed across the entire length of the screen or divided into multiple zones showing different information or entertainment simultaneously.
Ford’s sprawling new 48-inch display screen. (Image: Ford)
Along with the dashboard display, the Digital Experience also introduces a 15.5-inch portrait touchscreen integrated into the center console for climate and seat controls as well as entering destinations.
Advanced voice controls and support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto round out the system’s hardware.
Emphasis on Customization and Personalization
A core goal of the Digital Experience is enabling drivers and passengers to customize and personalize the system to best suit their needs and preferences.
The expansive digital real estate provided by the panoramic screen facilitates displaying multiple zones of content simultaneously. For example, the driver can have a large navigation map front and center while a passenger streams video content or browses the internet on another section of the screen.
The portrait touchscreen likewise allows customizing climate and seat controls for the driver and front passenger independently.
Diverse Digital Content and Services
Content and services accessible through the system aim to keep occupants informed, productive, and entertained on the go.
The Digital Experience platform runs Ford’s new Sync 4 infotainment software, providing access to:
- Navigation with Apple Maps integration on CarPlay
- Music and audio apps like Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible
- Cloud-connect apps and services like varying charging station locators
- Gaming through the Google Play store with video output on the main display
- Video streaming services like Netflix and YouTube
- Web browsing with results shown on the panoramic display
- Digital wellness apps for meditation, gentle movement exercises, and more
- Productivity apps like email, calendaring, and note taking
- Customizable ambient lighting themes and screen savers
The variety of content and sheer display real estate enables occupants to truly multitask while on the go – streaming media, gaming, working online, navigating, and more all simultaneously.
Emphasizing Safety Alongside Technology
While packing in cutting-edge digital technology, Ford emphasizes the Digital Experience will enable safer driving as well.
Key safety aspects include:
- Content zoning to minimize driver distraction
- Driver monitoring camera with alerts for distraction or drowsiness
- Voice control for most system functions to keep eyes on the road and hands on the wheel
Advanced driver assist technologies like blind spot monitoring, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control further accentuate safety.
Debuting in 2024 Lincoln Models
The Digital Experience infotainment system will first launch in 2024 model year Lincoln vehicles, starting with the Lincoln Nautilus midsize SUV this summer.
| Lincoln Model | Digital Experience Availability |
|---|---|
| 2024 Nautilus | Summer 2024 |
| 2024 Corsair | Late 2024 |
| 2024 Aviator | Late 2024 |
| 2024 Navigator | Early 2025 |
Rollout plan for Lincoln Digital Experience integration
The Nautilus will showcase the full 48-inch panoramic and 15.5-inch portrait touchscreen combination. Following Lincoln integration, Ford plans to migrate the system across other brands and vehicle segments over the next several model years.
Building on Growing In-Car Technology Use
The immersive digital experience provided by features like the massive panoramic display speaks to the critical and growing role of technology in today’s vehicles.
Over half of new car buyers now consider in-car tech features as important purchase considerations. Many expect vehicle technology to emulate the customization and seamlessness of their smartphone experience.
Automakers like Ford aim to meet and exceed these expectations. The Digital Experience platform provides not just displays and connectivity, but enduring and upgradeable software and services. This enables providing current and future vehicle owners an engaging, productive and personalized experience throughout ownership.
Signifying a Next-Generation Vehicle Cockpit Experience
In sum, Ford’s new infotainment system points toward a revolutionary in-cabin experience compared to vehicles of yesterday.
The fusion of flexible displays, intuitive controls, content-rich services and emphasis on customization aims to keep pace with our increasingly high-tech, customized and connected lifestyles.
Rather than just a means of transportation, vehicles like those equipped with the Digital Experience system aspire to provide comprehensive digital environments optimized for productivity, entertainment, relaxation or enjoyment while on the go.
While time will tell if it fulfills its potential, Ford’s new system clearly signifies vehicle infotainment is undergoing a radical transformation – with the next generation cockpit experience soon to emerge.
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