Ford's next-generation EV will integrate Apple MapsFord Motor Co.'s next-generation, affordable electric vehicle platform will integrate Apple Maps to support driver navigation and enable hands-free driving.The Dearborn automaker and Apple Inc. announced on Thursday the partnership that will have Ford being one of the first to leverage the Silicon Valley tech giant's MapKit for Automotive software development for its forthcoming electric midsize truck expected to start at $30,000 that's launching next year at Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky. The embedding means consumers can access Apple Maps without connecting their smartphone to the vehicle.More: Does Ford website hidden in electric truck camo hint at vintage name?AdvertisementAdvertisementUnlike General Motors Co. that chose to phase out Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Ford still plans to support those technologies on the Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, spokesperson Amy Mast said. The Apple Maps integration just offers consumers a different option for live-traffic, turn-by-turn navigation, place locating and EV routing for charging stations. It also works with the vehicle to precondition the battery for better travel performance.Latitude AI, Ford's wholly owned autonomy subsidiary of 600 machine learning, robotics and software specialists, also will leverage Apple Maps for the development of Ford's in-house advanced driving system. The UEV will have Level 2 hands-off driving at launch in 2027, and Ford expects to launch in 2028 Level 3 driving for the platform that allows drivers to take their eyes off the road.More: Here's why Ford, GM are approaching autonomous vehicles differently"We're proud to embed Apple Maps' navigation and mapping technology directly into our Universal Electric Vehicle Platform," Ford CEO Jim Farley said in a statement, "giving customers the ultimate navigation experience alongside our Ford app, a full suite of software, and next-generation BlueCruise, all enabled by a new zonal architecture. Apple Maps has delivered a world-class product, and we're honored to be among the first to embed it directly into a vehicle, helping define intuitive, capable driving."bnoble@detroitnews.comX: @BreanaCNobleThis article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Ford's next-generation EV will integrate Apple Maps