By Amy Gilroy
At the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Ford (NYSE:F) will demonstrate new features for its MyFord Mobile app for its all-electric Ford Focus Electric.
The app lets you remote start the car from a phone and lock and unlock doors. It also uses social networking and “hypermiling” to help people drive “green.” Hypermiling is the act of using driving techniques to improve fuel economy.
Through a Ford partnership with Mapquest, the app also provides mapping and route planning and displays EV charging stations along the route. This is the industry’s only charging station locator, says Ford.
“We wanted to help drivers get more miles out of every charge and have some fun along the way,” said Ford’s Kelly Zechel, MyFord Mobile product manager.
Users can join online forums and upload their driving statistics for comparison. Just as in video games, drivers of the Focus Electric can earn achievements based on how far they drive and how much CO2 they save by not using gas.
MyFord Mobile was first announced at last year’s CES and it won a CES “Best of Innovation” award, a first for an OEM.
MyFord Mobile demo video:
The app will be available for Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone, Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android and Research in Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM) BlackBerry devices with the launch of the Ford Focus Electric slated for Spring.
Source: Ford
Amy Gilroy is the Editor of CEoutlook and a Contributing Author to Market Playground and Satellite Radio Playground.
