Ford to Invest $1 Billion in AI Technology

Car companies have been making use of technology for decades, but each one has their own take on the matter. Ford is speaking with their spending when it comes to self-driving cars, investing a billion dollars over the next 5 years in a robotics & AI company in the hopes of creating the ideal autonomous vehicle. Ford anticipates they’ll have their first self-driving model available in 2021. As more self-driving features continue to work their way into our options on the market today, it’s clear that future drivers will only become more dependent upon this technology for both safety and convenience.

Ford’s Vision

Ford has always been known for their innovation — so much so that they often get more credit than they should. The juggernaut didn’t invent the automobile, but they did perfect the assembly line. They hope to replicate their success with this partnership in an effort to further increase shareholder value. Ford didn’t develop the technology behind self-driving cars, but by teaming up with the right people and by spending their dollars wisely, they may be able to perfect it for years to come. Ford also hopes to find as many avenues as possible to implement their investment. The technology may be licensed to other companies in the future, used to develop delivery fleets, or used to improve ride-sharing or ride-hailing services.

Partnering with Argo AI

Argo AI was started by two robotics engineers who used to work for Uber and Google. The founders have brought together those who have dedicated their life to how robotics and artificial intelligence can be applied in the real world. The staff is committed to developing the software that will be used in Ford’s autonomous vehicle. The employees at Argo will share in equity participation, making them heavily vested in the technology they’re creating. This start-up was already moving at the speed of light, and Ford is hoping to strengthen their work by giving them the resources they need to work efficiently. Argo expects to have 200 employees by the end of 2017 to complete this massive undertaking. The money will help fund Argo’s larger projects, but Ford will also be lending their own insight when it comes to vehicle design and customer expectations. In this way, both companies will be learning from each other to develop a better product.

The Future of Tomorrow

Ford wants to be seen as the leader in every vehicle category: technology, design, manufacturing, systems integration and compliance. By staying ahead of the curve now, they hope to increase their visibility as innovators. By making these self-driving cars extremely user-friendly, Ford wants to open their customers up to an entirely new way to run their errands and plan their road trips. By making this technology affordable, Ford believes they can cause a fundamental shift in how the public understands the driving experience. Ford will also be looking at how they can integrate their vehicles into other business verticals, so they’re always at the forefront of change.

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Tags: Autonomous, Charlotte Ford Dealer
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