Playing It Safe. There Is No Other Way to Launch Self-Driving Cars

A Ford self-driving test vehicle stops to allow pedestrians to pass.

Over the last several decades, Ford and the rest of the auto industry have spent a vast amount of resources developing robust, comprehensive processes to ensure we design and deploy safe vehicles, because we care about the safety of our customers.

That same mindset dominates how Ford approaches the introduction of self-driving cars. Just as decades of experience have given us safe and reliable development processes for human-driven cars, we need to draw upon that experience and develop the same processes for self-driving ones.

That’s why we’re so excited to have Chris Gerdes assist the team at Ford Autonomous Vehicles LLC. In his new position as safety advisor to Ford, Chris will play a meaningful role in the creation of these safety processes — the very processes that will help us understand when we can be confident that our self-driving vehicles are safe and ready for deployment.

Read the rest of the story at Medium.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 174,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.