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Self-Driving Vehicles

Self-driving vehicles have transformative potential. Ford has been a leading player in self-driving vehicle technology development for more than 10 years and we’re working with key partners to incubate ideas and accelerate solutions.

Going Driverless

Self-driving vehicles offer many ways in which we can change how our cities work for the better. We believe they offer safer, more efficient, more widespread solutions that benefit cities, companies and individuals. That’s why we’re working with partners such as Domino’s, Lyft and Postmates to develop pilot projects using self-driving vehicles. We’re also working to ensure these vehicles are safe and reliable, and to gauge public reaction to this new technology. Our target is to begin production by 2021 of a purpose-built, self-driving vehicle so we can enable mobility services at scale.

 Case Study

Testing Self-Driving Vehicles for Food Delivery

Ford is partnering with Domino’s Pizza to find out how customers react to self-driving vehicles delivering their meals. Teams from the two companies will gauge consumers’ views, providing invaluable insights to inform any future use of self-driving vehicles in food delivery.

During the trial, randomly selected Domino’s customers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will have the opportunity to receive their pizza delivery order from a Ford Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle. The vehicles will be manually driven by a Ford safety engineer and staffed with researchers. Customers who agree to take part will be able to track the delivery vehicle’s progress via an upgraded version of Domino’s Tracker®. Text messages will keep them informed on how to retrieve their pizza and send them a unique code to unlock the Domino’s Heatwave Compartment™ inside the vehicle.

As we continue to develop self-driving technology, research like this is crucial in ensuring that technology is used in ways that enhance the customer experience. With a target of beginning production of self-driving vehicles in 2021, we are designing a business to meet the needs both of partner companies and of their customers.

With a target of beginning production of self-driving vehicles in 2021, we are designing a business to meet the needs both of partner companies and of their customers.

Related Page

  Smart Vehicles for a Smart World

Read more about how we’re taking the next steps toward self-driving vehicles.