Ford has announced the expansion of its connected services through cloud-based ‘Ford Service Delivery Network’ powered by Microsoft Azure.Ford Service Delivery Network is designed to keep next generation vehicles up-to-date throughout the ownership period by making it easier to add the latest features through over-the-air software updates.
It will also include addition of features like scheduled remote start, vehicle status (fuel or charge level, tire pressure), vehicle finder service to MyFord and MyLincoln Mobile connected services.
The partnership program has come up when automakers are exploring mobile connectivity systems to update the cars for their customers and address problems without having to take the car into a repair center, reported Wall Street Journal.
However, until now Tesla has been leading the race by providing similar service using the Model S's embedded wireless connection.
Microsoft said: "Microsoft's cloud platform offers Ford the scale and commitment to security they need to support their global operations.
"And the expansive global footprint of Azure data centers provides the backbone to support Ford's vehicles anywhere they are in the world.
"The partnership helps Ford unify a multitude of back end platforms, and allows Ford to utilize Microsoft's deep expertise across critical areas such as application development and data management and analysis."
Customer deployment of the new service will start later this year.
