Innovation & Job News

Vector CANtech turns Ford SYNC project into new hires

Thursday, July 15, 2010

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Automotive, Oakland County, Software Design

Vector CANtech expects to get bigger as cars get smarter, or so goes the conventional wisdom at the Novi-based firm that helped make Ford's SYNC technology a reality.

SYNC is a breakthrough technology that provides a hands-free phone and media player operated by simple voice commands in Ford vehicles. Vector's embedded software provides SYNC with a robust interface to the communication networks within the vehicle.

"As communication networks expand from just inside the vehicle to outside of it and between vehicles, our services will step to serve those needs," says Scott Stevens, product line manager of embedded software at Vector CANtech.

The 13-year-old company has added three people in the last year, rounding out its staff to 68 employees and two co-op students. It is currently looking for 1-2 new people now and hopes to expand its staff by three more over the next year.

"Once the automotive world shook its head and came out of its funk there was a lot of work for us," Stevens says.

Vector is continuing to work with Ford on the SYNC system, making sure new features integrate well with the vehicle's other operating systems. Those new features include simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, turn-by-turn driving directions, and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports, and weather.

Source: Scott Stevens, product line manager of embedded software at Vector CANtech
Writer: Jon Zemke

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