Photo: Ford
There’s no doubt that sooner or later self-driving vehicles will become a common sight on the world’s roads. What at first seemed just like a good way to spend excess money has turned into an insanely fast race to create cars that will need no driver.
There’s virtually no big automaker currently not involved in this new emerging industry. All of them target making autonomous cars as a means to make an extra buck from mobility solutions for people and businesses.
With the rise of autonomous cars comes the fear that tech might screw up and endanger lives. It already happened, in the unfortunate Uber accident in Arizona.
Regardless of the obstacles ahead, carmakers seem determined to make this technology a reality. Although all are still far from creating a Level 5 autonomous cars, most have already begun deploying related technologies into their cars as part of the so-called assistive tools aimed at helping the driver.
Ford, as one of the carmakers more proactively researching autonomy, released on Thursday a well-documented 44-page report “that outlines its approach to autonomous vehicle development.” Called “A Matter of Trust” the report tries to calm public fears that come with this new technology and answer a few burning questions.
As stated in the document, Ford's automation will mean Level 4, a vehicle capable of operating autonomously without the need for a driver, within a specific geographic area and during appropriate weather conditions.
Noteworthy is the fact that Ford admits it will not sell autonomous vehicles the way traditional cars are being sold. They do plan, however, to use them for ride-hailing services and delivery of goods.
Ford, as do all carmakers citing the need for autonomous cars, bets on them saving human lives more than causing harm. Although not providing any numbers, Ford says it is confident part of the 37,000 people killed in car crashes in the U.S. each year could be saved by this tech.
You can read the entire Ford at the following link, if you have the patience.
With the rise of autonomous cars comes the fear that tech might screw up and endanger lives. It already happened, in the unfortunate Uber accident in Arizona.
Regardless of the obstacles ahead, carmakers seem determined to make this technology a reality. Although all are still far from creating a Level 5 autonomous cars, most have already begun deploying related technologies into their cars as part of the so-called assistive tools aimed at helping the driver.
Ford, as one of the carmakers more proactively researching autonomy, released on Thursday a well-documented 44-page report “that outlines its approach to autonomous vehicle development.” Called “A Matter of Trust” the report tries to calm public fears that come with this new technology and answer a few burning questions.
As stated in the document, Ford's automation will mean Level 4, a vehicle capable of operating autonomously without the need for a driver, within a specific geographic area and during appropriate weather conditions.
Noteworthy is the fact that Ford admits it will not sell autonomous vehicles the way traditional cars are being sold. They do plan, however, to use them for ride-hailing services and delivery of goods.
Ford, as do all carmakers citing the need for autonomous cars, bets on them saving human lives more than causing harm. Although not providing any numbers, Ford says it is confident part of the 37,000 people killed in car crashes in the U.S. each year could be saved by this tech.
You can read the entire Ford at the following link, if you have the patience.
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