Ford and Google join hands to offer secured cloud-based data services

Ford Motor Co is all-set to tap into the software, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing offered by Alphabet Inc's Google to develop new consumer services and modernize internal operations.As part of a six-year partnership, the Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker will incorporate the tech giant's Android operating system into its Ford and Lincoln vehicles starting in 2023. Ford will offer its customers built-in Google apps, including its map and voice technology.

Ford will deploy Google artificial intelligence technology to improve the efficiency of vehicle development, supply chain and manufacturing operations.The companies will also form a group, Team Upshift, to explore uses of data to develop new retail, create new ownership offers and other services for Ford customers.The automaker will continue to use other cloud service providers and collaborate with other tech companies such as Amazon.

The Google-Ford partnership reflects growing pressure on automakers to speed up software and data-enabled services that can generate revenue or cut costs.Ford also cleared that its customer data will not be handed over to Google or Google advertisers. The data will be secured and will be only handled by the Ford Motor.