Cars from Ford, more connected thanks to Vodafone's new Wi-Fi modem

Telecommunications companies are currently unveiling their latest innovations at the Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, so we’re also taking a look at the new developments related to the automotive sector. And among those innovations we find the announcement by Ford regarding the incorporation of a modem in the models that will hit the market shortly. The collaboration between the American company and the British company Vodafone has resulted in the integration of this device into cars.

This is the FordPass Connect, a modem that will enable 4G connectivity in the brand’s cars sold in Europe, and which will not only connect the car to the internet but also allow all occupants to use it as a hotspot, that is, an internet access point for the passengers’ mobile devices.

Until now, the SYNC platform was based on playing content from devices that could connect to the car via Bluetooth and reproducing it through the vehicle’s system. From now on, however, content can be streamed from the cloud, thanks to the 4G connectivity that will be available with this new Wi-Fi modem. Occupants will be able to entertain themselves by browsing the web, sharing their travel experiences on social networks, and even watching movies, series, or listening to music via streaming services.

In addition to the modem, both companies have developed the FordPass app, which allows users to interact with the car over the internet. In this way, owners can lock or unlock the doors, receive information about the car and its oil levels, tyre pressure, and other data that may be useful before setting off. With the Live Traffic feature, drivers can check real-time traffic conditions and follow the route suggestions to improve their journey.

Connectivity in cars is increasingly in demand from buyers, so all brands are introducing this kind of feature into their models. With this system, Ford will have its models fully connected to the cloud-based services offered both by the Ford app itself and by the rest of those available online.

Source | Ford