Ford introduced new tools called Software Developer Kit and Application Programming Interfaces for their upcoming cars’ dashboards. The article suggests these tools can prevent distracted driving, by providing a safer way to text, listen to music, or talk on the phone. Everything is through hands-free voice activation.
After reading the article, it is clear to me that Ford is using this technology as a competitive advantage towards its competitors. They are integrating innovation and collaborating with applications to make the driving experience more enjoyable and to increase the focus in driving. However with that being shown in the article, one of my main concerns has to do with the safety of the driver. The article never explains how it really promotes safety. I think by having more, or an easy access to applications in a car while driving, should really distract the customer more.
In another article[1], Ford defends their application system by only allowing certain kinds of apps on their dashboard (i.e Pandora, navigation, or financial apps). My next question/ concern would then be how these tools wouldn’t supply multiple distractions. For example, since everything is voice activated, let’s say that I am driving using a navigation app to the airport and on the phone with a friend. I can see Ford being helpful because I don’t have a phone in one hand and my other one on the wheel. However, I can safely assume that my phone is somehow attached and I am also getting incoming texts from other people. The voice on the navigation app, the voice with my friend, and the many text voices are happening all at the same time causing a confusion of voices and therefore an accident. Are these tools not the same as being on the phone, while driving? By having the access to many applications, isn’t the driver given more freedom to be distracted?
However after researching other opinions on this matter and as much as I would like to be against this tool, Ford shows in many YouTube videos[2] that one would have to first state the command before any multiple distractions could play a role. Therefore my example of being on the phone and multiple texts coming in would be incorrect because the dashboard would be playing the role of any phone, and an incoming text would result in a beep or vice versa.
Depending on the consumer, Ford’s tools can have either a positive or a negative impact. But, the impact this tool can have on the broader world around us can be seen as a positive. The negative connotation of an innovative product would be the more expensive it would probably be. However by looking at the market price for a 2011 Ford Fiesta with the voice activation features, the price varies from 13,000 to 16,000 dollars. Also according to the National Automobile Dealers Association[3], “the average price of a new car sold in the United States is $28,400”. Therefore, one can conclude that not only is Ford’s SYNC more likely to decrease distraction in the car, but also increase revenue for their company and spending in the US economy.
[1] http://www.betanews.com/article/Ford-releases-SDK-to-pair-smartphone-apps-with-SYNC-voice-command/1286569132
[2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g39JrObzmg&feature=related
[3] http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/autos/aut11.shtm
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