Ford plans to integrate Apple Maps as the official navigation system in its upcoming electric vehicles. The integration will use Apple's MapKit for Automotive SDK on the company's Universal Electric Vehicle platform.
The partnership will deliver directions through natural language, along with real-time traffic reports, accident information and multiple routing options directly to vehicle displays.
Ford intends to use road-level data from Apple Maps to advance its BlueCruise hands-free driving system. Officials said the data will support a more seamless on-ramp-to-off-ramp experience and marks Apple's first collaboration involving self-driving technology.
The UEV platform is set to power a series of affordable electric vehicles. Production is scheduled to begin with a midsize pickup truck priced around $30,000 in 2027, followed by additional models including SUVs and sedans.
