Ford's Executive Vice President and President of
Global Markets has revealed new details about the automaker's plan for
autonomous driving technology. In a post on Medium, Jim Farley said the company
has been researching self-driving technology for more than a decade and it is
focusing on meeting the needs of consumers. As a result, the automaker is
"designing an all-new vehicle optimized for self-driving technology and
the customers it will serve."
Farley believes the decision to build a
purpose-built vehicle will "differentiate our business as we begin to
serve leading companies, such as Lyft, in the movement of people and
goods." The executive went on to say the company is researching how people
use new services and how they will evolve following the introduction of
autonomous vehicles.
As part of the company's autonomous driving push,
the automaker is focusing on four core areas. Farley says this focus means
Ford's self-driving vehicles will have "upgraded components such as
brakes, wheels and body structures that can withstand more extreme work
cycles."
The executive also revealed the automaker will use
hybrid-electric powertrains instead of electric powertrains like General
Motors. Farley says this decision offers several benefits including greater
range and the ability to power "self-driving sensors and computing systems
without having a significant impact on the mileage."
Ford is focused on ensuring its autonomous vehicles
are safe and part of this requires the vehicles to communicate with other road
users such as pedestrians and bicyclists. As part of this goal, the company has
been testing exterior light signals that shows an autonomous vehicle's
intentions.
Farley wrapped up his post by saying 2018 will
become an important year for Ford as company will "test both our
self-driving technology and business model in a variety of pilot programs in
the first city in which we plan to operate an autonomous vehicle
business." There's no word on where that is but the company will share
additional information in the future.
