Mexican Media Brands
Ford Buys Software Developer for Military Robots
Ford Motor Co. has acquired Quantum Signal AI, a developer of software for robots used in military applications, to help launch robo-taxis and autonomous delivery vehicles by 2021.
Share
Ford Motor Co. has acquired Quantum Signal AI, a developer of software for robots used in military applications, to help launch robo-taxis and autonomous delivery vehicles by 2021.
Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. Saline, Mich.-based Quantum will support Ford’s advanced mobility efforts, including the carmaker’s Argo AI and SAIPS units, but will operate independently by its own management.
CEO Mitchell Rohde will continue to lead the 40-member team that works out of a former high school building.
Founded in 1999, Quantum’s software allows the U.S. military to remotely control robotic vehicles from thousands of miles away, including autonomous sentries in Alaska. The company also has designed simulation systems and integrates sensors and perception software systems.
The military has used Quantum’s Anvel simulation software to evaluate the performance of autonomous systems in harsh and unpredictable conditions. The latter includes encounters with wildlife and gunfire from snipers.
As part of Ford, Quantum will discontinue its defense work. Instead, the company will focus on technologies to help the carmaker meet its goal of launching a fully autonomous vehicle.
Ford says Quantum’s technology will help enable autonomous vehicles to operate in complex situations. Among them: navigating around obstacles at loading docks and delivering packages to a customer’s home.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Engineering the 2019 Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee, which was launched in its current manifestation as a model year 2014 vehicle, and which has just undergone a major refresh for MY 2019, is nothing if not a solid success.
-
Mustang Changes for 2018
On Tuesday Ford unveiled—using the social media channels of actor Dwayne Johnson (this has got to unnerve some of the auto buff book editors)—the 2018 Mustang, which has undergone some modifications: under the hood (the 3.7-liter V6 is giving way to a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, and a 10-speed automatic is available), on the dash (a 12-inch, all-digital LCD screen is available for the dashboard), at the tires (12 wheel choices), on the chassis (MagneRide damper technology is being offered with the Mustang Performance Package), and on the exterior (three new paint colors). And while on the subject of the exterior, there are some notable changes—a lower, remodeled hood, repositioned hood vents, new upper and lower front grilles, LED front lights, revised LED taillamps, new rear bumper and fascia.
-
Jeeps Modified for Moab
On Easter morning in Moab, Utah, when the population of that exceedingly-hard-to-get-to town in one of the most beautiful settings on Earth has more than doubled, some people won’t be hunting for Easter eggs, but will be trying to get a good look at one of the vehicles six that Jeep has prepared for real-life, fast-feedback from the assembled at the annual Easter Jeep Safari.
