What is Ford doing in Silicon Valley?

[HHGT]

"Ford said the research lab will "serve as a hub for independent technology projects and identification of new research investments and partners," as well as link between Ford's Advanced Design Studio in Southern California and software development partner Microsoft outside Seattle."

http://www.insideline.com/ford/ford-invades-silicon-valley.html


Open-source hardware and software developer kits: Working with New York City-based startup Bug Labs, Ford is launching OpenXC, a research platform that will allow developers to access key vehicle data in order to innovate cloud-based apps and services. The first OpenXC beta developer kits will be shipped this month to several participating universities including MIT, University of Michigan and Stanford

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ford-creates-first-silicon-valley-presence-with-new-research-lab-to-drive-innovation-in-personal-mobility-2012-01-06

[Triheart7]

I think it is a great idea. Even if it is more for marketing purposes, it still looks good that Ford is trying to explore all technology available.

[Kingman]

Personally I think it is a move long overdue. The majority of high tech innovation is centered in the Bay Area. The only way the automotive manufacturers will be able to compete in the coming years will be basing their new product offerings around the type of advanced research and creativity the Bay Area provides.

Automotive telematic gestation was in the Bay Area. We took it to the automotive manufacturers of Detroit in the mid to late 90's but they were too set in their ways to embrace it at the time. Now Mercedes and BMW can't shove enough of it into their vehicles. Telematics is just the tip of the iceberg.

I look at it in a similar vein to the design studios they all decided to establish in Southern California. You embrace the culture that will deliver to you the product differentiators of tomorrow.

One other area that makes me cringe but is almost as important is the legislation the fruits & nuts come up with here in Cali. The recent mandate that 1 out of 7 cars will be electric or plug-ins (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/01/environmentalists-laud-californias-electric-car-mandate-/1 ) is BS (where the hell are we gonna get the juice?), but Cali has the clout due to its economic size - 7th largest economy in the world to have an impact on new product design.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38&feature=youtu.be

[BlackICE]

I believe CA has shrunken to 8th largest economy due to all the brilliant neighbors of Ed Sims.

[Ed Sims]

I don't invite those neighbors over to my place.

Ed