Ford Officially Reveals Waterloo Connectivity and Innovation Centre
Ford Motor Company in Canada officially introduced itsWaterloo Connectivity and Innovation Centre to the media in October. The facility, based in the former home of BlackBerry near the campus of the University of Waterloo, houses over 150 employees dedicated to the development of vehicle communications and infotainment.
At the event, the team demonstrated the functionality of SYNC 3 infotainment in the 2020 Ford Explorer and 2020 Ford Escape, both utilizing the 10.1-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen display. Ford also recently revealed the next-generation SYNC 4 system, which upgrades the reliable infotainment tech with over-the-air-updates and capabilities for screens up to 15.5 inches.
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The development of the Waterloo Connectivity and Innovation Centre is part of a 2017 investment of C$500 million, which also helped fund the establishment of the Ottawa Research and Engineering Centre. The Ottawa REC focuses on the development of SYNC technology as well as in-vehicle internet capabilities, driver-assistive safety features, and autonomous driving capability.
“Canada has reinforced its position in Ford’s global operations as the company shifts to lead as both an auto and mobility company,” said Joe Hinrichs, president of The Americas, Ford Motor Company, at the time of the investment. “With this commitment and the support from key strategic partners, we have established a strong future for the highly-skilled and talented employees across Canadian operations.”
At the Waterloo Connectivity and Innovation Centre, Ford leverages collaboration with the University of Waterloo, which is home to the top computer science program in Canada. Waterloo is considered one of the top technology hubs in the country, with dozens of companies dedicated specifically to the development of automotive technologies.
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