Ford researchers are testing a new technology 
that may one day enable the company's hybrid vehicles to maximize fuel efficiency by harnessing the vast data -storage and computational capabilities of the cloud . Among other things, Ford said it plans to leverage Google 's Prediction API to calculate the best driving performance based on the driver's past behavior over previously driven routes.
Once the vehicle's owner opts in to use the service, each time a driver starts the car the "smart" vehicle will access the driver's encrypted data profile and convert the information into real-time predictions. The driver's confirmation of a destination would let the vehicle access a variety of real-time information for maximizing the hybrid's power -train performance. "This information can ultimately be used to optimize vehicle fuel efficiency and drivability," said Ford researcher Ryan McGee.
Maximum Efficiency
The goal is to use cloud-stored data to let a vehicle perform in the optimum manner for the predicted route, McGee noted. And by relying on the cloud's vast computing power, Ford would avoid having to equip its hybrid cars with expensive PC hardware.
Here's how integrating the vehicle with the cloud works:
The first step is to collect and store a sufficient amount of information about the driver's habits over time, such as the point of origin and destination of each trip -- derived from GPS data -- as well as the date and the time of day. Though Ford has developed its own experimental machine -learning algorithms for this purpose, the automobile maker envisions using Google's Prediction API for this once the technology is launched commercially.
If the driver tells the car's on-board computer , "I'm going to work," the automobile then harnesses the cloud to automatically perform all the calculations it needs to optimize the power train for the driver's route based on the day of the week and the time of departure.
Through Ford SYNC, the automobile maker already offers cloud-based services that deliver infotainment, navigation capabilities, and real-time traffic information, noted Ford system architect Johannes Kristinsson. However, the new smart-vehicle technology Ford is developing "has the potential to empower our vehicles to anticipate the driver's needs" for fuel consumption and compliance with local emission regulations, he added. (continued...)
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