Watch CBS News

Ford In Mobile Wellness Partnership

Ford Motor Co. and Baltimore, Md.-based WellDoc, a health care company that develops technology to improve chronic disease management and cut health care costs, Wednesday announced a research partnership that aims to integrate WellDoc services into Ford vehicles.

The addition of the automobile as an access point expands the WellDoc ecosystem of interfaces beyond cell phones and computers to further help people living with chronic disease, and their healthcare providers, better manage their health within their everyday lives.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Americans spend more than 500 million "commuter hours" per week in their automobiles, making it difficult to follow a daily health routine that is critical to their well-being. By transforming the car into an access point that delivers health management content to patients in a safe, targeted and supportive manner, WellDoc and Ford are now enabling patients to maintain their daily routines even on the road.

Said K. Venkatesh Prasad, group and technical leader of the Infotronics Research and Innovation Team at Ford: "The car has rapidly evolved into a mobile office and entertainment center for many Americans. Our goal is to further innovate the automotive space by incorporating health and wellness services into the car, thereby making them convenient and easily accessible to our customers – all while keeping their safety in mind. Delivering real-time in-vehicle health management services is a revolutionary concept that we are proud to spearhead with WellDoc, a pioneer in the mobile health space."

The research project between WellDoc and Ford demonstrates how adults with type 2 diabetes can manage their disease using the WellDoc DiabetesManager System through Ford's Sync voice-activated in-car connectivity system. People with diabetes can enter their data such as medications, exercise, and diet information through speech-to-text interaction while in their Ford vehicle. Patients who use the DiabetesManager System benefit from consistent interaction across their cell phone, computer and now their vehicle. The WellDoc software-based system will also allow healthcare providers to access their WellDoc clinical decision support records while they're in the office, on their mobile device or in their Ford vehicle.

The integration will allow patients to use the DiabetesManager System to help treat high and low blood sugars, as well as, make positive, behavioral based choices in real-time. Advanced features, still in development, include leveraging Ford Sync's location based services to help a driver not only identify and find a restaurant, but also assist them in making proper food choices at the restaurant.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.