Ford chooses Apple Maps for its 2027 Universal Electric Vehicle platform

Apple Newsroom: Apple and Ford today announced that Apple Maps will be integrated directly into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform through Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK. Coming to Ford’s UEV Platform in 2027, this integration will deliver a beautiful and easy-to-use navigation experience powered by Apple Maps directly to the vehicle’s displays. Road-level Maps information will also enable Ford’s Latitude AI team to build a seamless hands-free driving experience. See also: Techmeme’s roundup of commentary.  ★ 

For the first time, Apple Maps will affect the next generation of self-driving electric vehicles.

Ford's upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle platform will run Apple Maps as its built-in navigation system.

Ford will use Apple Maps as the built-in navigation system for its next generation of electric vehicles, replacing the Google-based software it has run since 2023. The integration uses Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK and will launch with Ford’s $30,000 midsize electric pickup in 2027, according to a joint announcement from both companies on […] This story continues at The Next Web

Apple Maps will be integrated into some upcoming Ford electric vehicles, the companies said Thursday (July 23). The integration of Apple Maps into Ford’s upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle Platform (UEV Platform) will be done through Apple’s new MapKit for Automotive SDK, which enables automakers to embed and customize Apple Maps, Apple said in a press release. When it appears in Ford’s […] The post Ford Embeds Apple Maps Directly into Upcoming EVs appeared first on PYMNTS.com.

Macworld If you don’t follow the automotive industry very closely, you might not be aware that Ford is embarking (again) on a big new electric vehicle program. The Universal Electric Vehicle Platform is meant to be a highly streamlined and optimized way for Ford to create a variety of vehicles that deliver a great experience using fewer parts and manufacturing steps, with more components shared between vehicles. Essentially, applying the concepts that makes China’s EV designs so much more affordable to make. The first vehicle on this new platform is due in 2027 and should be an affordable mid-sized electric truck with a starting price “around $30,000,” with other vehicles to follow quickly after. Apple just announced that the in-car software component of this new platform will use Apple Maps for navigation. Specifically, it will use the MapKit for Automotive SDK, which means Ford will build its own experience using Apple’s map data, not that it will simply copy the interface experience you get using Apple Maps with CarPlay, for example. Currently, most vehicles’ built-in navigation systems use map data from the likes of TomTom, OpenStreetMap, or Google, including Ford’s current Digital Experience, which uses “integrated Google apps and services like Google Assistant, Google Maps and more on Google Play.” Often, car makers will use more than one provider—one for broad navigation and traffic data or address locations and information, and others for finer street-level navigation or parking lots. The press release says that Ford will rely on Apple Maps data for navigation, real-time traffic and incident information, and location data including search with place cards. Ford will also use road-level information from Apple Maps as part of the development of its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability. CarPlay will continue to be available on upcoming Ford vehicles as well.