Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Changing DirectionFord's EV journey hasn't been an easy one; while the rest of the automotive world has seemingly been able to transition properly, Ford hasn't. After multiple model launches, with some coming and going and others like the F-150 Lightning, the Blue Oval decided to hit the reset button.Part of the reset is the introduction of new electrified models set to hit the market starting in 2027. Ford is taking it very seriously by even making their own universal EV platform (UEV), which is now set to get some navigational help from a big tech company.Ford CEO Jim Farley announcing the Universal Vehicle program last August.Integrated Apple MapsThe automaker has announced that they have partnered with Apple to bring the Apple Maps system to the UEV platform by 2027. Specifically, Ford will rework Apple's new MapKit for Automotive system for better in-car integration. Ford's Latitude AI team will use Apple's program to create a seamless hands-free experience.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis new system will allow the brand's new UEV drivers to "turn-by-turn directions using natural language, real-time traffic and incident information, intuitive search featuring detailed place cards, and routing options to help users easily find the best route to their destination."Furthermore, the program will also have an intelligent EV routing function that includes battery pre-conditioning. Apple has also allowed Ford to use the Maps program to build up its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability.UEV and Next-Gen BlueCruiseThe UEV project is currently underway, with the first model already beginning testing throughout the country in both urban and off-road settings. This is because the first UEV-equipped vehicle will be Ford's new $30,000 EV pickup, essentially taking the Lightning's place.When it comes to BlueCruise, the team behind the project is Ford's own Latitude AI team. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of the brand, with over 600 experts in machine learning, robotics, and software. Part of their project is the Ford Large Driving Model, a self-driving system that uses data from millions of miles of real-world testing.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.