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Posts Tagged “

Ford

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smart cars

Ford's Self-Driving Hybrid DARPA Car Now Available for $89,000

If you are looking for a self-driving car, now you can buy the ByWire XGV, the modified Ford Escape that got third place at the DARPA Urban Challenge. Torc Technologies—who collaborated with Virginia Tech to develop this smartypants SUV hybrid—is going to sell the car for just $89,000 as a "research platform," so other researchers can tune and add new contraptions to make it work better and look even more menacing than the current version. The specs are loaded with ports, sensors, and even optional accessories, like vibration isolators. Whatever that is, we want it. More »

8:00 AM on Wed Jun 11 2008
By Jesus Diaz
2,789 views, 32 comments

Latest by michaelleung: Damn it, I shouldn't have bought the eight tons of porno. more »

drinking and driving

Ford Adds a Fridge to the Flex

Ford has upped the ante in the options department by offering drivers of the 2009 Flex a $760 refrigerator upgrade that fits snugly underneath the armrest in the back seat. The fridge isn't huge, but it can hold seven 12-ounce cans (no, not beer) or four half-liter bottles—which is not bad for a road trip. It is also runs off a compressor making it a bona fide refrigerator that can take a drink from room temperature down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit in two- and-a-half hours. If you choose the freezer option, the temperature drops to a frigid 23 degrees Fahrenheit. With any luck, Ford will offer a Flex oven and Flex toilet option sometime in the near future. Then I would be ready to move in. More »

5:30 PM on Sun May 25 2008
By Sean Fallon
4,788 views, 47 comments

Latest by kaylix: @louv: Yep, my '87 635 has the same thing. Two seperate A/C's. And while the rear also functions as an additional A/C unit it keeps the cooler very cold, especially if you close the vents on the rear unit. It's a small more »

microsoft

Microsoft Making Ford Sync-like Music, Info System for Hyundai in 2010

Hyundai and Microsoft have just agreed for the latter to develop software for the former's cars, shoving in a "music and information system" by the year 2010. No details yet, but from the sound of things it seems like Microsoft's taking advantage of their experience with the Ford Sync system and making voice-control systems to manage stereos and cellphones. The new system is also interesting because it's software-updatable, allowing nerds to bring up that old joke about what would happen if Microsoft built cars. The whole thing is aimed at bringing more young people into Hyundais, something Ford Sync was surprisingly good at doing. [Reuters]

1:20 PM on Tue May 6 2008
By Jason Chen
1,131 views, 22 comments

Latest by Thrillcekr: @octopussy: Add posting ignorant comments on your list of things not to do as well please. more »

car radar

Ford Blind Spot System Uses Radar to Save your Ass

Ford is going to introduce two new traffic alert systems in their 2009 cars: the Cross Traffic Alert and the Blind Spot Monitoring System, which will alert drivers of potential collision targets using radar technology. Which these new gadgets, instead of having to check the mirror and ignore any cars coming from behind before changing lane, drivers would be able to check a red light that will warn about any incoming vehicles, even if they are hiding in the blind spot. And then, ignore them and change lanes. Example: my radar is saying that there's a press release after the jump. More »

6:30 AM on Thu Apr 10 2008
By Jesus Diaz
6,841 views, 46 comments

Latest by n/a: The problem with adjusting your outside mirrors out or with no body reference is that you could create another blind spot between your inside mirror field of view and your outside mirror field of view...especially in a vehichle with wide more »

cars

Gadget-Packed Ford "Work Solutions" Truck Knows Where Your Tools Are

When I imagine surly construction workers like my uncle hauling tools and concrete and porta potties around, trucks loaded up with schnazzy gadgetry is not what I picture. But that's exactly what Ford (and Microsoft!) see. Their "Work Solutions" concept isn't even entirely bullshit, either. The feature I worker think dudes would find really useful is Tool Link, an RFID-based tool tracker system—add tags to your tools, and the bed scanner lets you know if something is missing. More »

6:10 PM on Wed Feb 6 2008
By matt buchanan
6,012 views, 22 comments

Latest by Aceoage: @ImTheKing: Nope, The Tacoma is the best selling tiny truck or "Midsize" as some call them. The F-Series full size. Ford parts are also sold pretty well everywhere. Toyota parts, not so much. I don't like imports either way. more »

speech rec follies

Voice Activation Lameness is All Too Real


We don't care about the Ford Sync car this commercial's trying to sell you, but we find its depiction of balky voice-activated devices all too realistic. Knowingly chuckle along with us as these tools/fools who think they've mastered voice commands get their comeuppance. If this Ford Sync is like our Honda Civic Hybrid, its voice activation might still suck. It's just too noisy in a car environment to work well. Anyway, the idea of telling machines what to do and actually having them carry out your orders is compelling, but we've noticed far more situations where those systems don't want to do what you say. Maybe someday. Open the pod bay doors, Hal. [bb Gadgets]

9:15 AM on Fri Nov 16 2007
By Charlie White
8,260 views, 24 comments

Latest by Oz: funny everyone but so far Microsoft has done the best speech recognition IMO. more »

fast car

Ford GT Nitro Gas RC Car Goes 60MPH

As far as model cars go, this Ford GT Nitro Gas RC car is gigantic. Just over 3 feet long, this 1:5 scale car is big enough to knock you down and kill you if you get in its way, so you'd better have a big parking lot where you're going to race this thing. It must be a tremendous sight to see this low-slung car zipping by at 60 mph. That's just downright frightening. You can now get one for $649.99, and hey, it's on sale—it used to cost $200 more. [Wowzzers, via 7 Gadgets]

1:40 PM on Tue Oct 23 2007
By Charlie White
10,978 views, 22 comments

Latest by LastAndLeast: @jamesuschrist: Yeah, oops. more »

hands free sms

In Car, Hands-Free Text Messaging Using Microsoft Sync

Microsoft has teamed up with voice recognition software firm Nuance to develop its own hands-free text software for use with Microsoft Sync. The software would allow users to dictate SMS messages and possibly emails later on down the line. This would undoubtedly result in far less cellphone-related accidents, not to mention instances where I flip off dudes in Fords. Expect the software to be available in Ford models already equipped with Sync starting in early 2008. [Tech.co.uk]

7:40 PM on Mon Oct 8 2007
By Sean Fallon
3,326 views, 18 comments

Latest by n/a: um lol...... why not just talk on the phone then? I guess this is neat but I probably won't buy it. The whole point (for me) of text messaging is to NOT speak! lolz. more »

cars

Nokia Kits Out Ford's Mustang

Ford has called in the big boys from Nokia to give their Mustang beast some serious connectivity options. Apparently, the vehicles exterior and performance based specifications remain unchanged, but the fun starts on the inside, with Nokia dropping N series goodies in every hole they could find. More »

6:15 PM on Sat Sep 29 2007
By Haroon Malik
5,752 views, 20 comments

autos

Ford Sync Audio System is...Pretty Damn Cool

OK, Ford, to me and many of you, is not the future. But Jalopnik got a tour of the voice command system's final release and it's pretty damn cool. Apparently, It can play MP3s off a thumbdrive, and search for artists by voice command. Nuts! And you can receive and send preset text messages by voice over bluetooth to your cellphone. Wow, Microsoft and Ford, making decent systems together. Those Apple/VW rumors have a lot to live up to. [Jalopnik]

10:18 PM on Thu Aug 30 2007
By Brian Lam
5,031 views, 21 comments

Latest by gadgetfanatic: this takes ceashing to a whole new level more »

audio integration

Ford Sync In-Car Audio System Coming This Fall for $395

The Microsoft/Ford partnership in-car audio system, officially dubbed Sync, was priced today as a $395 option on this fall's Ford Focus, Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles. Sync integrates your digital audio player and/or cellphone with your car's stereo system, allowing you to control your listening experience via voice commands or the on-wheel buttons. Worried about that looming texting while driving ban? Sync will read your text messages aloud so you can keep your eyes on the road. Ford plans to integrate Sync into nine additional 2008 models this year. [News, and Digg badge is Jalopnik's]

9:16 PM on Thu Aug 9 2007
By kthompson
4,582 views, 14 comments

Latest by Pig42: Nobody who owned a self-dimming rear-view mirror would refer to it as "non-essential shit". It is a magical item which has prevented the soul-tarnish caused by hating myriad thoughtless dolts on the highways and byways since I got it. The fridge more »

vroooom

Ford Aiming to Break the Fuel Cell Car Speed Record

This is the Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999, the fuel cell-powered car that Ford is hoping will break some records at Bonneville. The green speeding machine just might be able to smash the world land speed record for a production-based fuel cell-powered vehicle. Phew, I'd like to see how they fit that on the trophy.

More »

8:13 AM on Wed Jul 11 2007
By AddyDugdale
1,314 views, 4 comments

it's a ford mondeo

Ford Mondeo Constructed Completely Allergy Free, Unless of Course You're Allergic to Ford Mondeos

I have allergies. It's not horrible, but a couple times a month I'll have to take something for it. Therefore, you'd think this completely allergy free Ford Mondeo would be fantastic for me. Sadly for Ford, my allergies aren't bad enough to make me drive a Mondeo. More »

6:15 PM on Thu May 31 2007
By Jason Chen
3,254 views, 17 comments

microsoft

Zune-like Device + Car = Dockable Glory

Microsoft's newest patent (newest interesting one, that is) shows off a car stereo system that takes has a dock for a portable audio device. What does this mean? Well, if we're right in deciphering the purposefully cryptic patent, this means either a Windows Mobile-type or a Zune-type device can be easily docked into the the car so they can share music. More »

5:41 PM on Thu May 24 2007
By Jason Chen
3,254 views, 27 comments

ford model t

The Horseless Messenger

There's more than Eminem in Detroit, as a chap named Ford has just announced his Model T manureless carriage. Nicknamed "Tin Lizzie", the Model T utilizes a 4-cylinder motor that produces a whopping 20 horses worth of power. More »

8:02 AM on Sun Apr 1 2007
By Mark Wilson
963 views, 6 comments

gadgets

Ford SYNUS Concept is Perfect for Your Vacation to Baghdad

How's this for some ominous copy: "As the population shifts back to the big cities, you'll need a rolling urban command center." Yes, after the fallout we need to reclaim our metropolises from the mutant hobo zombie hordes, and Ford has got our backs. Their SYNUS (quite possibly the worst vehicle name ever) is a concept vehicle that has a home theater setup inside and all sorts of protective measures on the outside. More »

10:53 AM on Tue Feb 20 2007
By Adam Frucci
3,122 views, 39 comments

cars

$8 Million Car, Still Worth Less Than a Taurus


This is a nice car, no doubt about it. But the argument that the vehicle took $8 million to develop and is thereby worth said amount would merit a Ford Taurus sticker price of $1 billion. You heard it here first: if you are a true billionaire, you drive a recently discontinued Ford Taurus. Anyone else is just a poser. For $8 million, I need a faster 0-60, an ejection seat, and for my car to speak all sarcastically like KITT. What about you?– Mark Wilson More »

12:50 PM on Sun Feb 4 2007
By Mark Wilson
2,027 views, 49 comments

Latest by 2oonhed: Hmmm, production you say? Well maybe I will buy one then. And to all nay sayers who want a ride in it?.....the answer is no. About the styling cues : This car was not just pulled out of thin air in more »

home entertainment

Microsoft Confirms IPTV on Xbox 360, Windows Home Server - No HDMI/DVR Yet

Microsoft's confirmed the release of IPTV on Xbox 360, but there's no word of HDMI, DVR, or any video on demand features. Maybe they're saving it for later? More »

9:30 PM on Sun Jan 7 2007
By Jason Chen
1,352 views, 2 comments

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