Ford Trades Google for Apple Maps in Next-Gen EVs
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In a first for Apple’s automotive ambitions, the company announced today that it’s partnering with Ford to provide map for the automaker’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform.
It’s a stark and surprising twist in a world that’s increasingly dominated by “Google built-in” solutions (aka Android Automotive). While mainstream automakers have (thankfully) abandoned the basic built-in navigation systems of the past — almost all of which looked like they’d been severely beaten with an ugly stick — most of them have ended up on Google’s doorstep in search of a replacement.
Ford is charting a different course. As Apple’s announcement notes, the company is building its own independent software platform and pushing Android Automotive out of the tent. However, it’s not going to try to create its own navigation system. Instead, it’s using Apple Maps — specifically tying into a new version of Apple’s MapKit APIs that have been tailored for automotive use.
Leveraging Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK, Ford’s Universal Electric Vehicle Platform will offer drivers turn-by-turn directions using natural language, real-time traffic and incident information, intuitive search featuring detailed place cards, and routing options to help users easily find the best route to their destination.
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Interestingly, this is just for everyday turn-by-turn navigation. Ford tends to take this to the next level by integrating the intelligent EV routing functionality in Apple Maps with its own in-car systems to handle things like battery preconditioning.
It’s also going to let Apple Maps power its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability, an ADAS system that will handle semi-autonomous on-ramp-to-off-ramp driving on major highways.
“Apple Maps delivers the best map experience in the world, and we’re excited to bring the power of Maps’ navigation technology to Ford’s innovative Universal Electric Vehicle Platform,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services and Health. “With our new MapKit for Automotive SDK, we’re bringing Maps further into drivers’ daily lives, giving them an incredibly accurate and easy-to-use navigation system that is seamlessly integrated into Ford vehicles.”
Notably, Ford is still flying solo to build its actual ADAS system; Apple Maps will only be providing the data behind it. “Ford is developing our next-generation ADAS in-house through Latitude AI, Ford’s wholly owned autonomy subsidiary,” spokesperson Amy Mast confirmed in a statement to The Verge. “Apple Maps will be an important mapping enabler that supports the experience, while Ford continues to own the vehicle hardware, software and driving system.”
However, unlike GM, Ford doesn’t plan to displace CarPlay with this new system, which means users will be able to choose Apple Maps either directly through the UEV platform or via their iPhone. It’s not clear exactly how this will work, although it’s likely CarPlay will still be able to take over the dashboard, much the same way it can on cars with Google built-in, where users can even choose between Android Auto and Android Automotive (as confusing as that sounds).
As for when you’ll see Apple Maps on a Ford dashboard? The first UEV-enabled vehicles aren’t coming until next year, starting with a mid-sized pickup that’s expected to sell for around $30,000.
