Ford Expands Connected Vehicle Platform with Amazon Deal

Ford Motor Co. has signed a multiple-year agreement with Amazon Web Services to expand the availability of cloud-based connected vehicle services through Autonomic's Transportation Mobility Cloud that will benefit fleet operators, according to the automaker.

Amazon Web Services offers a broad portfolio of services, including internet of things, machine learning, analytics, and software developers. The partnership will allow Ford to offer partnership and business opportunities for automakers, public transit operators, large-scale fleet operators, and software developers. Ford acquired Autonomic in early 2018 in its build-out of mobility services.

Autonomic will join the AWS Partner Network and work with independent software vendors and system integrators to offer vehicle connectivity services and capabilities for developing connected vehicle cloud services, vehicle features, and mobile applications to automotive manufacturers and mobility application developers.

"This collaboration will significantly expand our opportunity to deliver the very best experiences to Ford vehicle and mobility customers," said Marcy Klevorn, president of Ford Mobility.

In June 2018, the automaker unveiled Ford Commercial Solutions, which immediately signed agreements with telematics providers Geotab and Spireon, as well as continuing the existing relationship with Verizon Connect.

The business unit of Ford Smart Mobility offers vehicle data verified by Ford engineers, including fuel use and vehicle health alerts. The open-platform Transportation Mobility Cloud securely manages information to and from Ford vehicles, which will all have embedded modems by the end of 2019.