Knight Rider's Kitt has arrived (sort of): Ford's software lets drivers TALK to their cars to find nearby cafes and petrol stations
By Sarah Griffiths In Barcelona For Mailonline15:42, 22 Feb 2016, updated 11:22, 24 Feb 2016
The voice-activated feature is reminiscent of Kitt in Knight Rider starring David Hasselhoff.
The system, which is controlled in a similar way to a smartphone using an 8-inch touchscreen, will also allow drivers to control their phones, audio, navigation and heaters using voice commands when it launches in Europe this summer.
'SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE JUST FOUR YEARS AWAY', CLAIMS FORD
At Mobile World Congress, Ford's boss Mark Fields said it is tripling its investment in new technologies that will ultimately lead to self-driving vehicles.
Fields said that over the next five years investment will increase threefold in autonomous driving technologies.
These include one-button parking assistance and guidance to keep a car in its lane and help braking in heavy traffic, with the ultimate goal of a fully autonomous car.
He declined to provide financial figures.
'With pinch-to-zoom and swipe gestures, plus the familiar one-box-search we know from internet search engines, Sync 3 provides customers with an experience on the vehicle screen very similar to smartphone screens, and is easier and more intuitive,' said Christof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Europe.
For example, iPhone users will be able to use Apple CarPlay via the system to make calls, play music, send texts and get directions while they focus on the road ahead.
Android owners will be able to use Android Auto to access apps and services such as Google Maps.
New apps for the system, which is already available across the world in a more basic form, include the ability for drivers to check the weather and even earn money by transporting package.
MyBoxMan lets drivers deliver a parcel for others to receive between €5 and €8 for a three mile (5km) journey.
Ford gives MailOnline a preview of its new entertainment system
Sync 3 will first feature in the Mondeo S-Max and Galaxy in Europe this summer, as well as Ford's new Kuga (pictured) when it goes on sale. The first generation of Sync already enables drivers of five million vehicles worldwide to voice-activate essential in‑car features, including calling for emergency assistance
'With pinch-to-zoom and swipe gestures, plus the familiar one-box-search we know from internet search engines, Sync 3 provides customers with an experience on the vehicle screen very similar to smartphone screens, and is easier and more intuitive,' said Christof Kellerwessel, chief engineer, Europe
The voice-activated feature is reminiscent of Kitt in Knight Rider starring David Hasselhoff (shown)
Another app called Hear Me Out is claimed to be the world's first hands-free voice-based social networking app and lets drivers record 42‑second audio posts and share them on Facebook and Twitter.
'Whether you are craving your morning cappuccino on your daily commute or covering the cost of a journey by transporting a package, Sync 3 brings to life innovative new ways of staying connected on the move,' added Kellerwessel.
Scott Lyons, business and partner development, Connected Vehicle and Services, Ford of Europe said: 'Drivers have never had access to apps like this behind the wheel. MyBoxMan and HearMeOut open up entirely new ways for drivers to stay connected and even earn money.'
Sync 3 will first feature in the Mondeo S-Max and Galaxy in Europe this summer, as well as Ford's new Kuga when it goes on sale.
The first generation of Sync already enables drivers of five million vehicles worldwide to voice-activate essential in‑car features, including calling for emergency assistance.
Ford's boss Mark Fields said in his keynote speech at MWC that Sync is most popular system of its kind across the industry and Ford expects 43 million people to be using it by 2020 - a date when cars are expected to be far more autonomous than they are today.
This feature gives emergency workers the vehicle's location to ensure a speedy response. The new version has a simplified interface and is compatible with five extra languages.
Ford's boss Mark Fields (pictured) said in his keynote speech at MWC that Sync is most popular system of its kind across the industry and Ford expects 43 million people to be using it by 2020 - a date when cars are expected to be far more autonomous than they are today. The Kuga is pictured in the background
The Sync feature (on display in Barcelona) gives emergency workers the vehicle's location to ensure a speedy response. The new version has a simplified interface and is compatible with five extra languages
