Ford ranks first in developing automated driving systems, report says
Ford outranks 17 rivals in developing automated driving technology, according to a new report from Navigant Research. The automaker recently said it is on track to develop a autonomous vehicle for sale to consumers by about 2025.
Advances in sensing technology are pushing the market forward, helped by dramatic cost reductions, vehicle electrification and widespread connectivity, Navigant said. In the next stage of development, ensuring that the automation technologies can operate in a broad range of conditions and bringing access to the masses will be critical. Vehicle manufacturers will have a significant advantage, said Navigant.
The top companies after Ford are General Motors, the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler. Researchers also looked at Waymo (formerly part of Google) and Tesla, among others. Navigant rated them on 10 criteria: vision; market strategy; partners; production strategy; technology; sales, marketing and distribution; product capability; product quality and reliability; product portfolio, and staying power.