Ford is to collaborate with artificial intelligence company Argo AI to develop a virtual driver system for its autonomous vehicle.
The auto maker is to invest US$1bn over the next five years in Argo AI to develop a virtual driver system for its autonomous vehicle to be launched in 2021 – and for potential license to other companies.
Ford’s virtual driver system, which is a machine-learning software that acts as the brain of autonomous vehicles, will be combined with Argo AI’s robotics expertise. The two companies will work to deliver the virtual driver system for Ford’s SAE level 4 self-driving vehicles.
Ford will continue to lead on development of its purpose-built autonomous vehicle hardware platform, as well as on systems integration, manufacturing, exterior and interior design, and regulatory policy management.
Written by Rachel Evans
February 13, 2017