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Ford Expands Fleet of Self-Driving Cars
Ford Motor Co. is adding 20 second-generation self-driving cars to its U.S. test fleet of 10 autonomous vehicles and says it will expand the number to 90 vehicles by the end of 2017.
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Ford Motor Co. is adding 20 second-generation self-driving cars to its U.S. test fleet of 10 autonomous vehicles and says it will expand the number to 90 vehicles by the end of 2017.
Ford has been calibrating the new Fusion Hybrid sedans in Arizona, California and Michigan with test drivers in place to take control if necessary. But the company has said it aims to introduce automated vehicles with no steering wheels or brake and accelerator pedals by 2021.
The second-generation models have improved laser sensors and more sophisticated electronic controls, according to the carmaker. Ford began testing the first-generation system three years ago. It will unveil the more advanced technology next week at CES in Las Vegas and a week later during preview week for the Detroit auto show.
Unlike most carmakers, Ford is concentrating on fully automated driving systems rather than advanced driver-assist features. The latter offer automatic control under certain conditions but require the driver to always be ready to take immediate command.
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