Ford Motor Co. is expanding its efforts to improve its advanced driver-assistance systems through a new partnership with Mobileye.
The two companies will collaborate on the development improved camera-based collision warning, detection of vehicles and pedestrians, as well as lane-keeping features for its vehicles, including F-150 and Mustang Mach-E.
Ford has been partnering with a variety of companies, including Argo AI, Quantum Signal, SAIPs, Rivian and, perhaps most notably, Volkswagen to accelerate its self-driving and electric vehicle efforts in the past few years.
(Ford, VW expect to develop, sell 8M vans, trucks and EVs in next five years.)
The deal with Mobileye, which was acquired by Intel in 2017, has the two companies working together in three key areas:
- Ford and Mobileye will offer better camera-based detection capabilities for ADAS, including improved forward-collision warning; vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection; plus lane-keeping features.
- Mobileye will provide its suite of EyeQ sensing technology to support Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology available ADAS features, such as Lane-Keeping System, auto high-beam headlamps, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane-Centering.
- Ford will display Mobileye’s name in vehicles through the inclusion of its logo in the automaker’s Sync ADAS communication displays, making customers aware that some Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology features use sensing capabilities provided by Mobileye.
“Providing people with extra confidence while driving is invaluable, and it’s exactly what our available Ford Co-Pilot36 features are designed to do,” said Lisa Drake, chief operating officer, North America; vice president, Global Purchasing, Ford Motor Co.
(VW signs $2.6B deal with Argo AI, Joins Ford with vehicle development.)
“By customizing Mobileye’s excellent software and sensing technology, Ford’s great driver-assist features will continue to evolve and provide customers with confidence on the road throughout the life of their vehicles.”
The partnership nets each side something different. Mobileye will provide its EyeQ family of devices, together with vision-processing software to support Level 1 and Level 2 driver-assistance systems in Ford vehicles globally.
Level 1 systems are defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers as automating a single part of the driving experience, such as steering or acceleration/deceleration, while Level 2 systems provide both steering and acceleration/braking support. Both require drivers to supervise performance of the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Ford will give Mobileye exposure, putting its name and logo in the company’s Sync driver-assist displays — the first time the automaker has done that. The deal isn’t limited to the F-150 and Mach-E, as the technology will roll out across the Ford portfolio.
(Ford charges ahead with new autonomous vehicle unit.)
Although the partnership isn’t new, Ford and Mobileye have worked together for years, this is the first time the automaker’s committing to the company’s technology for the entire lifecycle of its next-generation vehicles.
