Self-Driving Ford Cars Could Someday Deliver Pizza Around Grand Rapids

Borgman Ford has been keeping a close eye on Ford's progress on autonomous vehicle research - which they hope to start producing as early as 2021. Ford has made a number of breakthroughs, including the use of LiDAR sensors for navigating and advanced computers that can recognize pedestrians, stop signs, and other obstacles. While the tech is still new, Ford is pushing forward with their program, recently teaming up with Domino's Pizza to explore the idea of using driverless cars for automated pizza delivery!

Ford gave some specifics from this study in a recent article published in the Ford Official Media Center, including the system they're using for ordering, tracking, and completing the delivery. Here's an excerpt from the article:

Domino's and Ford Begin Consumer Research of Pizza Delivery Using Self-Driving Vehicles

Domino's Pizza, the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, and Ford Motor Co. are launching an industry-first collaboration to understand the role that self-driving vehicles can play in pizza delivery.

As part of the testing, researchers from both companies will investigate customer reactions to interacting with a self-driving vehicle as a part of their delivery experience. This research is important as both companies begin to examine and understand customers’ perspectives around the future of food delivery with self-driving vehicles.

“As delivery experts, we’ve been watching the development of self-driving vehicles with great interest as we believe transportation is undergoing fundamental, dramatic change,” said Patrick Doyle, Domino’s president and CEO. “We pride ourselves on being technology leaders and are excited to help lead research into how self-driving vehicles may play a role in the future of pizza delivery. This is the first step in an ongoing process of testing that we plan to undertake with Ford.”

Over the next several weeks, randomly-selected Domino’s customers in Ann Arbor will have the opportunity to receive their delivery order from a Ford Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle, which will be manually-driven by a Ford safety engineer and staffed with researchers. Customers who agree to participate will be able to track the delivery vehicle through GPS using an upgraded version of Domino’s Tracker®. They will also receive text messages as the self-driving vehicle approaches that will guide them on how to retrieve their pizza using a unique code to unlock the Domino’s Heatwave Compartment™ inside the vehicle.

You can read the full article by visiting Media.Ford.com.

New Fords Equipped with Smart Tech in Grand Rapids, MI

Though fully autonomous vehicles will still need some time to develop, you can visit Borgman Ford in Grand Rapids today and check out semi-autonomous features, such as Ford's Active Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Brake Assist, and more!

While you're here, be sure to ask any questions you may have about Ford vehicles, and feel free to take your favorite out for a spin! To see our full lineup of Ford Cars, Trucks, and SUVs, Click Here!