Ford Teams Up with Apple for New Electric Vehicle Technology

Ford is set to incorporate Apple software into its upcoming line of electric vehicles, aiming to enhance hands-free driving capabilities.

On Thursday, both companies announced that Apple Maps would be integrated into Ford’s new universal electric vehicle (UEV) platform, utilizing Apple’s MapKit for Automotive SDK. This new UEV is expected to launch in 2027, starting with a medium-duty electric vehicle. Notably, consumers won’t need a separate Apple subscription to access these features in their vehicles.

The UEV technology will offer drivers turn-by-turn navigation in everyday language, along with live traffic updates and detailed search capabilities.

In this collaboration, Ford intends to leverage data from Apple Maps, not just for self-driving functionalities but also for enhancing the next version of its BlueCruise hands-free driving system.

Apple’s MapKit for Automotive SDK delivers detailed road information to assist in the development of self-driving technologies, and the company emphasized its commitment to user privacy, stating it does not track individual users’ locations or activities.

“Apple Maps offers the best mapping experience globally, and we’re thrilled to bring this navigation technology to Ford’s innovative electric vehicle platform,” Eddie Cue, Apple’s senior vice president, remarked.

He further highlighted that the new SDK aims to seamlessly integrate maps into daily driving, providing a user-friendly navigation experience for Ford owners.

Ford CEO Jim Farley mentioned that the upcoming midsize electric vehicle, priced around $30,000, will reimagine advanced technology as simpler and more accessible for a larger customer base.

“We’re excited to integrate Apple Maps directly into our UEV platform, alongside Ford apps and the next-gen BlueCruise, supported by our new zone architecture,” Farley said. He added, “Apple Maps is a top-tier product, and we’re proud to be among the first to embed it directly into our vehicles, enhancing how people drive.”

Ford’s Latitude AI, a subsidiary focused on self-driving technologies, is also at work developing sophisticated internal driving systems. The automaker has equipped its heavy-duty models with various self-driving capabilities, all built on extensive real-world data.

The company expressed that this initiative is essential for both Ford and Latitude’s goal of making autonomous driving accessible and delivering meaningful experiences at competitive prices on their UEV platforms.