Drivers of Ford electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles can now smartwatch their battery charge status, unlock doors and get a driving score h the MyFord Mobile app for smartwatches including Apple Watch and Android Wear devices such as the Moto 360, Asus Zen Watch, Sony SmartWatch 3 and Huawei Watch.
Driver of Ford EVs can see the available range before leaving on a journey without having to open the apps on their smartphones.
Drivers can be notified when their car is fully charged. This will help other electric vehicle owners by opening up the charging station.
The watch apps were developed for easy use and to fit smartwatch displays. For example, rounded gauges match the look of round watch faces like that of the new Moto 360.
Using Apple Watch, the user can access the glance feature to swipe up on the watch to launch the app. The apps are built to complement the MyFord Mobile platform, which debuted on Android and Apple smartphones in 2012.
Smartwatch app features include:
- Range and charge status for battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Capability to initiate preconditioning of vehicle cabin remote.
- Locking/unlocking capability.
- Vehicle mileage summary.
- Last trip summary includes personal driving score, percentage of electric vehicle miles.
- Vehicle location provides walking or driving directions back to your parked car.
The last trip feature lets drivers monitor their driving score – showing miles per gallon or miles per gallon equivalent, trip miles, and braking and driving efficiency. The graphic shows more green leaves the more efficient you drive.
Included in the update, the main app offers a Google Maps feature with pinch/zoom capability, which provides availability of nearby charging stations.
The apps with smartwatch features are designed for new or existing owners of Ford C-MAX Energi, Ford Focus Electric and Ford Fusion Energi.