Ford Media
Feb 28, 2011
COLOGNE, Germany — “I often feel that I work for a technology or consumer electronics company that just also happens to make great automobiles.”
As Ford rolls out SYNC with MyFord Touch, its next- generation vehicle environment, to a European audience the engineers who have been working on the project for years are beginning to see the fruits of their efforts. Jason Johnson, user interface design engineer, SYNC Product Development, is a key member of that team, working to ensure SYNC with MyFord Touch lives up to its promise.
“I love being an engineer on the SYNC with MyFord Touch program, which has really revolutionised the way people communicate in their vehicles,” said Johnson. “I often feel that I work for a technology or consumer electronics company that just also happens to make great automobiles.”
Johnson has wanted to be an engineer ever since laying his hands on a Lego™ set at the age of 2. And he has been involved in technology and software since writing programs for his TI-82 graphing calculator during high school. After three college internships with Ford, Johnson was hired by the company. He graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in 2002 with a B.S. in electrical engineering.
From electrical engineer to infotainment specialist
Johnson’s first Ford assignment involved working on the electrical system for the 2003 Lincoln Town Car. It was there he discovered a passion for infotainment systems.
“The Town Car’s Lincoln navigation radio sparked my interest in infotainment systems and architecture, which ended up being my next assignment,” said Johnson. “After five months at the Kansas City Assembly Plant working as a member of the plant vehicle team, I returned to Dearborn to join the navigation systems development team.”
Johnson spent more than three years developing the award-winning 2006-08 Ford navigation radio, followed by the critically acclaimed 2009 next-generation navigation radio featuring SIRIUS Travel Link™. When the opportunity for SYNC with MyFord Touch development came along, Johnson couldn’t resist.
“I’ve spent the last 18 months working with a cross-functional team,” said Johnson. “Everyone - from engineers, usability specialists, graphic designers and ergonomists – has taken part so we can integrate these really innovative features in a way that will be usable too. It’s been an incredible experience.”
Recognising the importance of a global team in developing a global product, Jason and his family have recently relocated to Ford’s European Product Development headquarters in Cologne, Germany. In this role, Jason will develop an expertise for region-specific customer requirements while interfacing with SYNC team members and development partners around the world.
For Johnson, the best part about working on developing SYNC with MyFord Touch for Europe is observing people’s reaction to the system. “I most enjoy watching the reaction of people who use next-generation navigation and SYNC with MyFord Touch for the first time,” said Johnson.
“It is very rewarding to know you contributed to a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring user experience. I can’t wait to hear the feedback when people begin to get their hands on this new system.”
Learning to unplug
When Johnson isn’t working on human-computer interaction, his passions include interior design, photography and travelling. “I love to pretend that I am a trained photographer by taking hundreds of photographs while travelling internationally,” said Johnson. “Some of our destinations included Costa Rica, Greece, Japan, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica, Belgium and Germany, and trying to capture the essence of those incredibly different places is a great challenge.”
Interior design and photography endeavours both share elements with his professional life as well; composition, aesthetics and usability factor into both hobbies and help Johnson better appreciate the interaction between people, objects and their surroundings.
Johnson is currently in a graduate program at DePaul University, working toward an M.S. in human-computer interaction.
Personal Insights and Fun Facts
Jason has been married to his wife Aisha for five years. They have one child, Langston, who is 2 years old
Jason and his family recently moved to Cologne, Germany, where they will take advantage of the opportunity to travel throughout Europe and gain a deeper appreciation for European culture
A 2008 Ford “Drive One” North America television commercial also featured Jason explaining how cool his job is; the ad ran during prime-time shows like American Idol, NFL football games and the NBA playoffs