Amazon's popular Alexa voice-controlled virtual assistant is headed to select Ford cars this year, making things smarter and more convenient.
The idea of linking connected cars to connected homes is not entirely new, but it's gaining ground. After Tech Times reported back in August that Hyundai was teaming up with Amazon to connect Alexa to Genesis vehicles, it's now Ford's turn to tap into the power of the smart virtual assistant.
With the new integration, Ford owners will soon be able to start their car from their home via Alexa, turn up the heat at home as they're driving there, and do more.
Only three models will initially support Alexa: the Ford Focus Electric, Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi. To issue a command from the car to the smart home via Alexa, all that users will need to do is to press a voice recognition button on their steering wheel and utter their voice command. Vice versa, to issue commands from the home to their Ford car, users will be able to use Amazon Echo and Alexa.
Ford and Amazon announced their partnership for connected cars and homes earlier this year, at CES 2016 back in January. We didn't hear much since, but Reuters recently learned more details.
"Production plans were shared last week with Reuters during a demonstration of the service at Ford's Research and Innovation Center in Palo Alto, California," Reuters reports.
The publication further says that, according to a Ford spokesperson, the service is now in the final stage of testing with Amazon, gearing up for a release by the year's end.
The Alexa integration will also allow Ford owners of compatible models to control and interact with smart home systems and appliances via Alexa. Users will be able to check the security system, preset their home temperature or turn on outdoor lights, for instance, all from their car.
With an Amazon Echo device in their home, users will be able to remotely start their car, lock and unlock the doors, or check the range between charges. For security reasons, users will be able to provide a security code before carrying out their task via Alexa.
Moreover, users can also rely on Alexa to cue up music for their drive, get weather reports, update their shopping list and more.
Ford will also start rolling out some in-vehicle Alexa services to other vehicle models early next year, company spokesman Alan Hall told Reuters.
