Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) will give its customers the ability to turn off features of its “Sync” communication system in the form of a “do not disturb” status which will turn off capabilities “that are not relevant to the task of driving while the vehicle is in motion,” the company said in a statement.
The news comes as growing public debate questions what activities are appropriate and safe to engage in while operating a moving vehicle. Ford will begin offering the system in its 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX models through its second-generation Sync software, called My Ford Touch. The option will block incoming calls and text messages from a Bluetooth-connected cell-phone. Callers will be directed to voicemail and text messages will be saved to the device for later reading.
Ford’s move goes above and beyond a set of voluntary guidelines which were established by automakers. The Dearborn, MI-based automaker does not allow users to manually enter a destination into the navigation system, said Ford spokesperson Alan Hall. Ford will also make it so that users cannot use the web-browser of the My Ford Touch while driving. Drivers will be prevented from viewing content on the touch screen which are considered distracting. The company will also be prevented from typing on a keypad and limiting lists of navigation and phone options to a few entries.
Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) says that the advantage of the “do not disturb” system is that, unlike turning a phone off, drivers can still make outgoing calls using voice activation and make emergency calls to 911 using the “SYNC 911” assist feature.
“Text messaging has become the default communications method for consumers of all ages,” said John Schneider, chief engineer, Ford multimedia and infotainment engineering to the press. Ford’s “latest connectivity improvements will reduce the temptation to pick up the phone and take your eyes off the road, providing a safer solution for the use of mobile devices in the car.”
