Recently, the Ford Motor Company has been significantly invested in two major things: the future of the automotive industry, and the health and safety of our nation’s people.
When Ford first launched their self-driving vehicle system in Miami, Florida, the company knew that collaboration with the city and its people would be key. That’s why the Blue Oval brand has been working closely with Miami’s local officials and community to develop ways that these unique services can be integrated within existing transportation systems in order to provide the best overall value.
As a result, Ford has recently teamed up with The Education Fund, a local non-profit in Miami-Dade County, to accomplish the singular goal of making food and goods deliveries using autonomous vehicles.
In conjunction with tech company Argo AI, Ford’s self-driving test vehicles are currently being used in The Education Fund’s Food Forests for Schools program, which promotes healthy eating by growing fresh fruits and vegetables for school cafeterias and encouraging students to take these goods home to their families.
As part of the eight-week program, Ford and Argo AI are delivering fresh bags of produce to approximately 50 students and their families each week in exclusive Ford Fusion Hybrid self-driving test vehicles. Here’s how the process works:
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Upon arriving at the school, bags of freshly harvested produce are loaded into Ford’s test vehicles, which continue on their daily delivery route autonomously.
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As the vehicle operates on its route, two Argo AI test specialists (one behind the wheel and one in the passenger seat) monitor the self-driving vehicles and the road ahead at all times, ready to take over if necessary.
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At each drop-off location, one of the Argo AI test specialists makes a contactless delivery directly to the student’s family.
This groundbreaking process not only provides significant assistance to Miami residents in need, but it also allows the Ford Motor Company to compile even more data on self-driving vehicle technology.
With each delivery that is completed through this program, Ford gains an even deeper understanding of how self-driving services can help organizations and businesses achieve everyday goals in a safe, reliable, and trusted manner.
As Ford continues to boldly break boundaries on their quest to arrive at an entirely new automotive future, there’s no telling just how far the company can go.