On Thursday Apple announced a new set of developer tools that will allow automakers to embed Apple Maps navigation and mapping directly into their car infotainment systems.
The software development kit, called MapKit for Automotive, will debut with Ford and its new line of electric vehicles, starting with the $30,000 mid-size truck in 2027.
Ford is betting big on its next generation of EVs, which it promises will be affordable and efficient while still offering the latest technology. To build them, Ford abandoned its age-old tradition and instead started with the universal EV platform, or UEV, which will underpin the midsize truck and eventually other vehicles including sedans, crossovers, three-row SUVs and small commercial vans.
Features like Apple Maps integration may seem small compared to Ford’s decision to use one-piece aluminum unicastings for the car, which are large parts cast as one piece to eliminate parts and allow for faster assembly.
But Apple Maps integration is central to Ford’s plan to bring more responsive features to owners, such as navigation that includes efficient routing designed for EVs and turn-by-turn directions with natural language capabilities.
Drivers will be able to see real-time traffic and incident information, search for destinations, and view detailed location information. Importantly, Apple MapKit works natively in the car and is different from Apple CarPlay, which mirrors apps from the iPhone to the car’s central display.
The integration will also provide road-level information from Apple Maps to BlueCruise’s next-generation hands-free driver assistance system. An upgraded version of BlueCruise, expected to be launched next year, will be able to handle highway travel, including inbound and outbound routes. The company said the new system will eventually handle “point-to-point autonomy,” similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software, before progressing to autonomous driving in 2028.
The companies said that by embedding Apple Maps directly into the car, drivers will have access to an intelligent EV route, including battery preconditioning. This feature calibrates the battery before it reaches the charger, reducing charging times by ensuring it is at the correct temperature.
It can also enable smart home integration, such as opening the garage door and turning on the lights when the driver arrives home.
While the technology will be open to any automaker, Ford is Apple’s first partner in the new effort. The companies signed a trade agreement, but did not disclose its terms.
Ford noted that the Apple merger could also help its Ford Pro business, which serves its commercial fleet customers. For example, businesses can use the technology to route drivers to their next job location or show other fleet vehicles on a map. Those types of shipping features become much easier when the writing platform is built right into the car.
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