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SZ Territory - HMI

March 2011

"Our goal was to provide simple, user-friendly functions that Territory buyers not only want, but expect in today's tech-savvy world"
- Con Papadomanolakis, Electrical Integration Manager, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa

The new SZ Territory is equipped with a technologically advanced, world-class Human Machine Interface (HMI) that delivers new levels of vehicle interaction, systems control and technology integration to Ford SUV customers.

Ford Australia used several sources when designing this new model‟s infotainment and HMI systems. These included customer research from existing and prospective Territory customers and the consumer electronics industry. Ford also studied HMI units offered in other automotive brands.

In the new Territory the HMI incorporates the Interior Command Centre (ICC), Multi-function Display (MFD), instrument cluster and steering wheel controls, as well as integrating a variety of new customer-oriented features such as full iPod2 integration, USB connectivity, Bluetooth®1 mobile phone integration (including Bluetooth®1 audio streaming) and, where fitted, a reverse camera and satellite navigation.

Appearing for the first time in the Territory is an eight-inch colour touch screen, fitted as standard equipment in TS and Titanium models.

The HMI is designed to allow the user to control key aspects of the Territory, from climate control and audio settings to the cruise control and light settings, through a user-friendly and intuitive interface. Depending on the function being sought, the operator can access it from the ICC, instrument cluster or steering wheel buttons, which all provide various levels of sub-system control.

Ford APA Electrical Integration Manager, Con Papadomanolakis, said “the goal was to make the new Territory's HMI system seamless, easy to use and provide all the necessary technology that customers expect, from Bluetooth®1 to full iPod integration with the audio system”.
"Many navigation and infotainment systems are not simple to operate," Papadomanolakis said. "We wanted these systems on the new Territory to be very user friendly and provide the functions drivers now expect.”

The new Territory's ICC is stylish and sharp and compliments the overall interior design.

Interior Command Centre
The Interior Command Centre houses a variety of in-car functions, including audio system controls and climate control. Importantly, it also provides an interface for features such as Bluetooth®1 integration, reverse sensing system, reverse camera (where fitted) and satellite navigation (where fitted). Other functions include access points for vehicle personalisation information, such as locking, alarm/security settings and interior illumination.

The ICC screen is positioned high on the centre stack at a level similar to the instrument cluster. This provides the driver with the ability to see with ICC screen without having to divert their eyes downwards, thus minimising distraction.

The SZ Territory offers two levels of ICC: an entry-series version fitted with an LED-backlit monochromatic 5.8-inch LCD screen (fitted to Territory TX) and a high-series version with an eight-inch colour TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screen (on Territory TS and Titanium models). This all-new touch screen uses colours and layers to enable simple navigation of menus and functions.

Although much of the ICC system shares its clean and functional look with the FG Falcon, the system itself is completely new, using an operating system-based architecture similar to a personal computer.

Key functions of the new Territory's ICC include:

LCD screen for low series (TX):
5.8-inch monochromatic anti-glare screen
White character illumination
Uses symbols, graphics and dynamic text to display information
Mix of dynamic and fixed controls
Designed to allow for possible retro-fitting of some next-generation electronic devices
Low series monochromatic ICC screen image (for illustrative purposes only):



Colour touch screen for high series (TS and Titanium):

Eight-inch colour touch screen with high-resolution graphics
Fingerprint-reduction technology
Video input for reverse camera, where fitted
Designed to allow for possible retro-fitting of some next-generation electronic devices

High series ICC colour touch screen image (for illustrative purposes only):



Even with its sharp and elegant look this all-new eight-inch touch screen has been built with durability in mind.
"The Ford team has worked hard to avoid fingerprints and smudges on the screen.” Papadomanolakis said. “We didn‟t want the appearance of the unit to be degraded with users leaving dirty fingerprints on the screen, so we have adopted a coating on the touch screen that
is resistant to fingerprints to reduce the need for continual cleaning."

The high-series ICC is fitted only to TS and Titanium models and is not available for the TX.

A practical and simple-to-use scrolling system is an important feature of the new Territory‟s ICC. This allows customers to scroll through large lists of information, such as MP3 song lists, and access quickly the item they are searching for. For example, an „around-the-world scroll feature lists all information in alphabetical order and allows the user to scroll backwards or forwards from A to Z. With the eight-inch touch screen, pressing and holding a scroll button will initiate a fast scroll and move though the information list rapidly.

Audio system
Papadomanolakis said Ford Australia benchmarked some of the latest-generation in-car audio and navigation systems when engineering the SZ Territory‟s information and entertainment systems.
"We started benchmarking the audio systems offered by other brands in many markets and improved the specifications for Australia to help make our system adaptable for the future. For example, instead of handling only small-capacity USB sticks, we had to think three or four years ahead and estimate the capacity of USB devices so our system could support it.”
The audio systems available in the new SZ Territory are an integral part of the Interior Command Centre. There are two levels available: a standard audio system fitted to the TX model, and a premium audio system fitted to the TS and Titanium models.
The standard AM/FM/single CD audio system in Territory TX delivers its sound through four speakers. This system supports a variety of audio and communication devices. This allows customers to make full use of their music collection in the new Territory. These devices are:

CD WMA and MP3 compatibility
Bluetooth®1 stereo
iPod integration
USB integration

The premium audio system provides these same functions but delivers its impressive sound quality through seven speakers, including a sub-woofer for enhanced bass sounds. Driving these speakers is a 150-watt amplifier. The premium audio system is fitted to the TS and Titanium models as standard equipment.

iPod integration
The new iPod integration feature enables customers to fully integrate an iPod to their vehicle, allowing customers to make full use of their music.
Papadomanolakis and his team spent many hours gaining customer feedback about infotainment systems via the internet and from forum websites such as www.fordforums.com.a u

"Our customers are very 'connected' and, in many cases, early adopters of new technologies," Papadomanolakis said. "So it is important to stay in touch with that market. We also found from our own customer research that many people are distracted by in-car infotainment systems. We wanted to keep our system simple without losing any functionality.

"One particular customer dislike we uncovered from other systems was the inability to choose music tracks from song lists easily. To overcome this we added a fast-scroll facility that allows much simpler easier access a specific song. It is less distracting."
In all models in the SZ Territory range an iPod or iPhone can be connected to the vehicle using the vehicle‟s in-built USB port and the cable provided with the device. Because this device integration is fully interfaced with the SZ Territory‟s audio system the iPod or iPhone can be controlled using the vehicle‟s ICC or steering wheel controls. If album artwork for the track being played is loaded on to the iPod or iPhone it will appear in the eight-inch colour touch screen (TS and Titanium only).

To protect the device when the vehicle is being driven it can be stored out of sight in a tailored soft-lined pouch located in the deep centre console.

Bluetooth® integration
All SZ Territory models have a fully integrated Bluetooth® facility for both mobile phones and audio devices. Bluetooth®1-equipped mobile phones connected with the Territory‟s ICC can be operated by the steering wheel-mounted control buttons. There is also an on-screen keypad provided so users can operate the phone without needing to pickup their device. An in-built microphone in the overhead console helps make phone conversations clear and easily communicated.

A multi-function phone button mounted on the steering wheel allows the user to accept or reject incoming phone calls or make outgoing calls. A ringtone through the vehicle‟s audio speakers alerts users to an incoming call as well as a message prompt on the multi-function display.

When making phone calls, users have access to voice tags and phone contacts where the connected device supports these features.
New to the Territory is Bluetooth®1 stereo, which provides Bluetooth®1 audio streaming through the A2DP audio profile. This facility allows users to pair a suitable audio device, such as an iPhone, to the vehicle‟s audio system so music from the device can be played wirelessly. Controls such as fast forward, rewind and pause are also available in streaming mode through the AVRCP profile for supported devices.

USB integration
A USB port located in the new Territory‟s deep centre console further extends the music options for customers. It allows users to play MP3 and WMA music files though the vehicle‟s audio system.
MP3 and WMA music playlists can be controlled using the vehicle‟s ICC, steering wheel controls and, where fitted, the eight-inch touch screen.
An in-built 3.5-millimetre RCA port ensures Territory customers have even more access to their favourite music options. Here, more portable music devices can be connected to the car‟s audio system.

Reverse Sensing System and Reverse Camera
A reverse sensing system is fitted to all Territory models as standard equipment.
The purpose of the reverse sensing system is to provide an identification of obstacles located behind the vehicle using audible warnings to the driver.

The vehicle's surroundings are monitored by four ultrasonic sensors integrated into the vehicle‟s rear bumper. These transmit short sound pulses and register the sound echo. Based on the principle of echo-location, an electronic control unit (ECU) uses the echo to determine the distance from the object.

The ECU reports this to the driver acoustically by emitting an audible tone through the vehicle‟s audio system speakers. The rate of this audible tone is proportional to the distance the obstacle is from the vehicle. A continuous tone is produced if the vehicle gets closer than 450-millimetres from the obstacle.

The system is automatically deactivated when a Ford-approved towing package is in use with a trailer plug connected.
A reverse camera is fitted as standard equipment to the Territory TS and Titanium models in conjunction with the reverse sensing system. This improves visibility to the area at the rear of the vehicle.
When reverse gear is selected the reverse camera image is displayed in the eight-inch colour touch screen. It displays the area at the rear of the vehicle to a distance of approximately ten metres. The camera is mounted in the boot lid appliqué above the registration plate.

Satellite navigation

The range-leading Territory Titanium comes fitted with a satellite navigation system as part of its standard equipment package. This system is integrated into the vehicle‟s ICC and is activated by simply touching the navigation tab at the bottom of the eight-inch touch screen. The system includes the following features:

“Green routing” – calculates the most economical route as well as the fastest and shortest routes available
Choice of 2D or 3D map modes
Overspeed and speed camera warnings
“Where Am I” feature to show nearby points of interest
Street house numbers left and right displayed
Advanced lane guidance and signpost information indicating which lane to use
“Junction view” showing graphical representation of road
Traffic Message Channel (TMC)3

This last feature, the traffic message channel, identifies the locations of traffic congestion and, if possible, dynamically re-routes the driver to potentially avoid the congestion.
Ford Australia was the first to implement this technology in an Australian-manufactured vehicle when it released the FG Falcon in 2008.

Instrument cluster
The SZ Territory is fitted with a new instrument cluster. This easy-to-read display contains the following content:

Speedometer
Tachometer
Fuel gauge
Engine temperature gauge
Warning lights
Return-to-zero feature when ignition is switched off
Multi-function display (MFD) with LCD screen for set-up, messages and warning information.

The multi-function display communicates a variety of status details to the driver. This includes:

Large digital speed display
Overspeed
Odometer
Trip meter
Systems warnings
Audio information
Trip computer information

Audio function information displayed in the MFD includes media source, station identification, track number and song.
The MFD also shows cruise control information when the cruise control function is active.
The trip computer information displayed via the MFD includes:

Range (distance to empty)
Fuel used
Average fuel consumption
Instant fuel consumption
Average speed
Distance to destination
Travel time

The MFD can be configured using the instrument cluster menu switches, which lets the driver determine the specific information they wish to see when driving.

1 Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc., and is used under licence. Customers should consult their Ford dealer on the ability of their mobile phone handset to integrate with the Bluetooth® system prior to making a purchase decision.
2 iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. Please refer to ford.com.au for iPod compatibility.
3 Ford has an arrangement to provide the Suna Traffic Channel broadcast for a minimum of 5 years from the time of vehicle manufacture. Refer to www.sunatraffic.com. au for details of area coverage.

Source: Ford Media

 

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