Ford uses the “bring your own device approach.” It offers a software development kit that lets programmers built apps that work with Ford’s steering wheel controls, radio display and voice recognition technology.
“The neat thing (for app developers) is they take this code, embed it in their app, and nothing changes for them,” said VanDagens.
“They code in the language they are used to. Customers get updates. If you have Pandora on your phone, if you jump into a Ford car, it works. You have voice control over the app.”
The company now has 23 apps enabled to work with its system, including many Internet radio apps. It launched nine new apps that would work with its Sync system at the show, including ones from USA Today, Amazon Cloud Player and The Wall Street Journal.
The bring-your-own-device option can be a problem if the cars’ electronics don’t work well with different phone operating systems out there.
So Chrysler introduced a bit of both approaches with its Uconnect system, which includes a 3G modem in the select models but also allows drivers to use voice recognition and steering column controls to link to their phones.
Lexus showed off some of its work with collision avoidance research at the show. Its system uses cameras and sensors to find obstacles. The car then automatically engages safety features, ranging from stiffening the shocks for better control during hard braking to making the steering more responsive.
Qualcomm also demonstrated its Halo wireless charging system for electric vehicles using a Rolls-Royce concept car. The system recharges batteries though plates that sit on a garage floor, eliminating the need to plug in the car for recharging.