Ford and Walmart to deliver groceries with self-driving cars

Except these self-driving cars will employ a driver

Argo AI, Ford and Walmart are going to deliver packages in three American cities using autonomous Ford cars, and the first test is due to start this year. The groceries are delivered to consumers on the same day as the order or on the next day.

For the test, the three companies will use Ford cars. Argo AI equipped these with self-driving functions and get additional sensors especially on the roof to be able to see the environment. Customers should be able to place orders at Walmart, which are then delivered with the Fords. It is not clear whether customers have to pay extra for this.

The first test will begin later this year and will be limited to predefined areas within the cities of Austin, Miami and Washington D.C. these areas should grow in the future so that more customers can use the service. The participating companies focus on large cities, because there would be a greater concentration of deliveries here.

With the project, the parties want to test the delivery of groceries with autonomous cars, show the potential of self-driving cars and explore the self-driving cars themselves. For the trial, Argo’s system will be integrated into Walmarts online ordering platform so that deliveries can be scheduled.

Although the cars will be self-driving, there must still be someone behind the wheel for safety reasons. Argo AI and Ford have been working together for some time. For example, the two companies want to introduce an autonomous taxi service in 2022. Argo AI also works with Volkswagen.

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