The challenge runs through July 24, 2013. Later this summer a panel of judges will evaluate the submissions and award $50,000 in cash prizes for the best apps, with $25,000 going to the overall winner.

The Personalized Fuel Efficiency App Challenge was announced last month at the New York International Auto Show by Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president of global marketing, sales and service and Lincoln. Ford’s goal with this app challenge is to provide drivers with tools that show how they are using fuel and where they can save.

“We’re really excited to see just what consumers and developers come back to us with on sharing and understanding their own fuel economy performance,” said Farley. “The aim of the challenge is to empower drivers with the information they need to drive smarter and to find ways to share that information in order to help others understand what fuel economy they can expect in various driving situations.”

Anyone can participate and have a look at the submissions at http://ford.challengepost.com/.

“We see the car as a platform on which others can create and build solutions tailored to individual needs,” said Venkatesh Prasad, Ford senior technical leader for open innovation. “OpenXC puts Ford at the leading edge of taking it to the next level by providing developers and drivers with easy access to the data they need to make smart decisions.”

Ford said developers can use the open-source OpenXC hardware and software development kit to read a wide array of real-time vehicle data and pull these into either mobile or Web-based apps. The apps can then be used to inform drivers with coaching for more fuel efficient driving, route comparisons to help identify the most efficient path to a destination or help in finding available parking.

App submissions will be evaluated on three primary criteria – viability, user interface design and vehicle data.

• Viability: Since the goal of the challenge is to help drivers better understand their personal fuel consumption, making the app as easy to use as possible is critical to success. Automated data capture and analysis that minimizes the need for driver self-reporting will make apps more viable
• User interface: Whether on a smartphone or in a desktop browser, user interfaces that present tangible information the driver can actually use and act upon are preferable to basic data visualization
• Vehicle data: Developers will get higher marks for innovative employment of vehicle data, including fusion of multiple data types into meaningful signals, that can help the driver use less fuel

Ford has designed the challenge to be open to individuals, teams and organizations of up to 50 people. Larger organizations can also enter for the chance to get recognition awards, but those entries will not be eligible for cash prizes.

The expert panel will consist of five to seven judges with members from inside and outside of Ford.

Developers must submit either a working Android app or a link to a Web app, along with screenshots and a video demonstrating the working app.

“We’re excited to see what hobbyists and software developers will create with Ford’s OpenXC API,” said Brandon Kessler, CEO of ChallengePost, the online platform powering the competition. “Running on a combination of the Arduino and Android platforms, OpenXC taps into an ever-growing community of creative hardware and software hackers and opens up thousands of possibilities for vehicle-aware apps.”

Ford said anyone with an idea they would like to see implemented into an app can be a part of the challenge even if they can’t write a single line of code.

Anyone can submit app ideas to http://Ideas.Ford.ChallengePost.com for a chance to win $100 said Ford. All visitors to http://ford.challengepost.com/ can create a free account and vote for their favorite submissions. The entry that gets the most votes wins the popular choice award and $1,000 in cash.

The post It’s Fuel-Saving App Time At Ford appeared first on HybridCars.com.

Later this year, the iPhone will interface with the Beetle and Beetle Convertible via a specially developed app and a docking station.

The iBeetle is the first model line from the Volkswagen Group in which the iPhone will become an integrated component.

Volkswagen offers two different ways to acquire the interface between iPhone and Beetle: as an app or as a standard feature of the new iBeetle and iBeetle Convertible.

Both special models will be launched at the beginning of 2014.

The app, docking station and iBeetle made their world debut at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show.

Volkswagen said the newly designed docking station is located centrally on the dashboard of the Beetle: the iPhone simply snaps in to integrate it with the car. Essentially, all iPhone functions can be used in the Beetle; the iPhone can be used to navigate, make calls hands-free, listen to music, and much more.

The Beetle app

When this app is launched on an iPhone, it can either connect the phone to the Beetle via the docking station or wirelessly.

Each option allows for different app functions to be accessed, as described by Volkswagen:

• Spotify: lets users stream media such as new songs, customized playlists or online radio stations into the Beetle. Those who wish can post their favorite music directly to friends. In addition, users in the Beetle can switch between “Spotify” and “iTunes” at any time.
• Expert: offers five functions which make the iPhone an extended on-board instrument of the Beetle, such as a G-Meter (for measuring lateral acceleration), oil and coolant temperature gauges for the engine, a chronometer, and a compass.
• Trainer: can be used to compare driving times, distances, and fuel economy values for different routes between any two destinations. Here, too, tips can be posted via social networks like Twitter and Facebook — such as which route is faster to the office.
• Reader: lists the latest messages from social networks like Facebook, and reads iPhone messages aloud.
• Postcard: Sends the current location of the Beetle to friends as a digital postcard with a map motif.
• Photo: Sends photos taken inside the car to numerous social networks. Simply activate it, and the app does the rest.
• Milestones: Available when the smartphone is undocked. Rewards its users with virtual “milestone stickers” for the Beetle when certain tasks have been completed.

The iBeetle

Volkswagen said the iBeetle is one of the first cars in the world to have a genuine integrative interface for the iPhone that was coordinated with Apple.

As mentioned, the special model will be available as a Coupe and Convertible. The colors and equipment features of the iBeetle are stylistically linked to the Cupertino-based US company, bringing its smartphones into harmony with Volkswagen’s iconic Beetle design.

The iBeetle, which will be available in early 2014, will come with other customized features in addition to the standard iPhone interface.

On the exterior, they include standard features such as 18-inch “Disc” alloy wheels (painted in “Galvano Grey” with chrome wheel covers), door mirror housings and side trim panels (above the sill) in “Galvano Grey”, black door sill plates with the “iBeetle” signature, “iBeetle” chrome badges (on the front fender) and a “Chrome pack” (includes chrome trim strips on the sides).

In a nod to the iPhone’s color scheme, the new iBeetle can be ordered in “Candy White”, “Oryx White Mother of Pearl Effect”, “Black Monochrome”, “Deep Black Pearl Effect”, “Platinum Grey”, or “Reflex Silver.”

Inside, steering wheel accents and the dash pad are executed in “Galvano Grey”. The iBeetle is also upgraded by a customized shift lever grip, black sport seats in “Vienna” leather, and contrasting seams in light “Ceramique”.

The post Apple And VW Create The iBeetle appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The new application for smartphones is designed, according to Volvo, to offer car owners easy-to-use relationship with the car from a distance. It enables users to see a wide variety of information about their car and interact remotely.

In order to find inspiration for further development, Volvo Cars uses crowdsourcing on Facebook, where people can share and vote for their favorite feature idea.

The Volvo On Call App is currently available in 16 countries and Volvo said it has quickly become a very popular feature among customers.

Studies show that users interact with the app on a weekly basis on average. Volvo expects the new design and added features will make it even more attractive, and roll-out in new countries will continue in 2013.

Features in the new Volvo On Call app include checking whether the car is secure (if not, users can lock the doors remotely), locating the vehicle on a map (useful if you’ve parked in an unfamiliar city), see fuel level, average fuel consumption, mileage and trip meter data, plus basic maintenance details such as light bulb faults, washer fluid, brake fluid, oil and coolant levels.

The Honk and Flash feature allows the user to activate the horn or flash the lights independently to allow easy location of the car in busy areas.

New features launched:

• Enhanced driving journal for business people. Detailed data of each trip during the last 40 days can be downloaded and stored. There is also a possibility to extract the data as an Excel file. Now allows you to see the route the car took on a map (incl. Google Street View) and gives speed/fuel consumption/battery consumption at specific time intervals.
• Send destination to the car. Using the map function within the app, select a location (within 31 miles) and send the destination to the car. This will then show-up in the car’s RTI system.
• Outside temperature. Shows the temperature using web-based weather information at the parked location of the car.
• Remote pre-heating. Allows the user to set the timer or remotely start the heating of the passenger compartment prior to the journey.
• Car in motion. Shows if the car is in use.

On top of these, the following new features are specific to the Volvo V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid:

• Passenger compartment preconditioning. Allows the owner to set the timer or remotely start the heating or cooling of the passenger compartment prior to the journey.
• Hybrid battery check. Shows the current state of charge of the battery.
• Charge reminder. An alarm can be set to remind the driver to plug the vehicle in to charge.
• Charge interruption warning. Shows if the power supply to charge the vehicle has been interrupted.

Volvo Cars said it always wants to be one step ahead in order to meet customer’s evolving needs that change from one day to another, as new innovations and technologies continuously change how we live our lives. That’s why the Volvo On Call development team have asked how new features in the app can make their life easier.

The crowdsourcing effort is hosted at the Volvo On Call Idea Hub on Facebook, where people also can also vote for their favorite idea.

The most popular ideas for the next generation Volvo On Call application will be presented on March 5, 2013.

The Volvo On Call app is now available in App Store, Google Play and Microsoft Market.

The Volvo On Call App is currently available in the following countries as of February 2013: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, Sweden and Switzerland. In Portugal services are available from a customer centre located in one of the other countries.

The post Monitor Your Volvo V60 Plug-in Diesel Hybrid Or Other Volvo Model Through An App appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The new function is powered by PlugShare.com and will be compatible with the new Ford Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Ford said PlugShare provides a live database of charging stations across North America. In addition to aggregating publicly available lists of stations from a variety of sources, PlugShare incorporates crowd-sourced information from users to provide the most comprehensive dataset available.

“When we launched the MyFord Mobile app and portal for the Focus Electric last year, it was the most advanced remote management app of its kind in the industry,” said Bill Frykman, business and product development manager. “We’re now expanding availability of the system to drivers of our new plug-in hybrids and offering some unique features specifically tailored to these long-range vehicles.”

Owners of the first-ever Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles can now use their smartphones from almost anywhere to monitor and manage the battery charging process, find charging stations, check energy efficiency and earn achievements for efficient driving.

“It is a little known fact that the majority of charging stations are currently free to use. By giving drivers a clear view of the reality of charging, PlugShare and Ford are showing more and more drivers that now is a great time to start driving on electricity,” said Forrest North, CEO of Xatori, maker of PlugShare. “With our real-time, crowd-sourcing features that include photos, reviews and check-ins, PlugShare has quickly become one of the largest and most popular charging station locators in North America. We are thrilled an established industry leader such as Ford has chosen PlugShare for MyFord Mobile.”

According to Ford, the station finder component of the MyFord Mobile app now blends point-of-interest search with charging station information from PlugShare.com to let drivers take advantage of opportunistic charging wherever their destination might be. Users can search for terms such as “pizza” or “Mexican food” near a location and MyFord Mobile will display the results along with the nearest available charge for each entry. Drivers can select a destination based on proximity to a plug.

“Access to public charging allows our C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi customers to drive more electric miles – helping improve our environmental footprint and improve energy security,” said Mike Tinskey, director, Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure. “We’ve seen impressive growth in the number of installed public charge stations – growing from fewer than 3,000 units in 2010 to more than 11,500 installed units in the U.S. today. This collaboration allows for Ford customers to access all the currently installed stations, as well as gain immediate access to new charge stations as they are installed.”

Ford added that MyFord Mobile’s trip and charge log has also been updated to provide drivers with information about how efficiently they are using their plug-in hybrid vehicle in both electric and hybrid mode. By taking advantage of available data on electricity use, hybrid gas mileage and regenerative braking, the app coaches drivers to adjust their driving style to be more efficient.

The MyFord Mobile app and website still lets plug-in hybrid owners check the state of charge of the battery, get alerts if they forgot to plug the car in or if charging stops, and take advantage of value charging for the lowest electricity rates during off-peak hours. Drivers can also precondition the cabin temperature while the car is plugged in to reduce the load on the drivetrain for enhanced efficiency.

“We designed MyFord Mobile to provide owners of Ford plug-in vehicles with a convenient way to monitor and manage their total energy usage, and we’re continually working to make the experience better,” added Frykman.

MyFord Mobile is available in the Apple iOS App Store for iPhones and the Google Play Store for Android phones.

The post Ford Adds PlugShare To MyFord Mobile appeared first on HybridCars.com.

The EV charger company said that with a new user experience and redesigned look, the ChargePoint EV charging station app now features all EV charging stations installed in the United States, not just those on the ChargePoint network.

Additionally, EV drivers can now easily identify which stations have pricing and exactly how far they are from their location.

The updated ChargePoint EV charging station app is available for free and is said to provide EV drivers direct access to their social network accounts including Facebook and Twitter.

“ChargePoint is the world’s largest electric vehicle global charging network,” said Pat Romano, president and CEO of ChargePoint. “One feature EV drivers have requested is the ability to navigate, access and charge at any electric vehicle charging station, not just those on the ChargePoint network. With more than ten thousand EV charging spots on the ChargePoint network and thousands more out of the network this is the easiest way to find any EV charging station anywhere in North America.”

ChargePoint says it provides the industry’s first and only EV charging station mobile app that give drivers real-time charging station status, detailed station information including pricing and the ability to view your home charging station. EV drivers can make EV charging station reservations, payments and find location information through this app.

According to the company’s website, the revised app allow users to:

• Find charging stations near you or near an address you specify

• Get turn-by-turn directions to charging stations

• See whether a charging station is available before you go

• See station details such as price

• Display a list of stations with a 1,000 foot radius of where you are

• Locate reservable stations and make, view and cancel reservations

• View charging stats while your car charges

• Receive notification when your car is fully charged

• View your ChargePoint account details

The post New ChargePoint EV Charging Station Mobile App appeared first on HybridCars.com.