Future Ford Development

 

Argo AI, Lyft, and Ford Motor Company are collaborating in an industry-first effort to commercialise autonomous self-driving cars with safety drivers at scale. The innovative partnership combines all the components required to develop a workable autonomous ride-service, including the self-driving technology, vehicle fleet, and transportation network required to support a scalable business and provide riders with an excellent ride. 

 

According to Logan Green, co-founder, and CEO of Lyft, "This collaboration represents the first time all the parts of the autonomous car puzzle have come together in this way." To make autonomous ride-hailing a commercial reality, "each company provides the scale, knowledge, and skill in their area of expertise."

 

As for a network access agreement, Argo AI and Ford will deploy Ford self-driving cars with safety drivers on the Lyft network, with passenger rides starting in Miami later this year and in Austin starting in 2022. Users of Lyft who are in the designated service regions will be able to choose a Ford self-driving vehicle to hail a ride when vehicles are deployed. As the parties are currently working to conclude agreements intending to deploy at least 1,000 autonomous vehicles on the Lyft network, across several markets, over the next five years, this initial deployment phase will establish the framework for scaling operations. (DEARBORN, Mich., JULY 21, 2021)