While the idea of a vibrating shift knob is something we’ve heard of before, we had not heard of it being associated with the name of a major manufacturer. Now, it has been used by Ford to show off its OpenXC platform, which basically allows you to connect your smartphone to the car and have it send back information that can then be used in any number of ways.

For this application, Zach Nelson, a young engineer working for the Blue Oval used 3D printing technology and Bluetooth to create a working haptic feedback shifter knob – the haptic part comes courtesy of an Xbox360 controller’s motor.

It can be programmed for performance driving, or more economy-minded runs, and has already been successfully tested on a Mustang (and a Focus according to one of the photos posted below).

Ford is keen to point out, though, that the OpenXC platform is open-source, and can be modified to suit differing needs, making it a very fun way for users of Android phones to gain a little bit of extra interaction with their vehicles.

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

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