Shift Magazine - February 2020 - 26

FORD'S MODEL A(I)
How one major automaker is ramping up its data efforts
BY ALEXA ST. JOHN

"

I

We're all in
when it comes
to AI.

n addition to what artificial intelligence can
"The impact of artificial intelligence  is
do in  automotive  retail and for suppliers,
much broader than autonomous vehicles,"
there is a lot that it can do for automakers. 
Washington said. "Autonomous vehicles
Automakers can use AI to build richer
get a lot of the attention, but the potential
data sets  from their connected vehicles to
of harnessing  artificial intelligence  to bring
enhance development of self-driving techbetter and new experiences to our customer
nology. But they can  also incorporate it  in
extends from music services to digital assisKen Washington,
training - and even manufacturing or qualtants in the vehicle to personalization, includFord chief technology officer
ity assurance with tasks such as detection of
ing how we make vehicles."
wrinkles in vehicle seats.
For example, Ford relies on artificial intelligence and machine
Case in point: Ford Motor Co.
learning in its Sync infotainment system to help with drivers'
"We've recognized for some time
music selections and to learn other in-vehicle preferences based
that artificial intelligence and the
on previous usage.
power of data is very important to us,"
Washington said his priority for the coming year is to "close
Ford Chief Technology Officer Ken
the data loop" on the company's connected vehicles to ensure all
Washington said. "The good news for
of that data can be used for future vehicle development.
us, and the automotive business, is
Washington said a big example of closing that loop is Ford's plan
we're not starting from zero. We started
to bring to market this year the first two vehicles that have its fully
this ramp-up, I guess I'd say about four
networked  electric  vehicle architecture.  They are the Mustang
or five years ago, when we recognized
Mach-E and a yet-to-be announced vehicle. 
Ken Washington
a need to build a true data strategy."
"AI will be even more important and even more pervasive in
Washington said Ford is taking steps to integrate artificial inteleverything that we do," Washington said. "We're all in when it
ligence throughout its new mobility operations and, in addition to
comes to AI. We're still fairly early in the journey, so we know it's
boosting AI, his long-term strategy includes more focus on the
going to take time for us to realize the full potential of AI." ■
power of computing and the importance of digital networks.
Like most other automakers, Ford is in the early stages of its
journey with artificial intelligence, but it has made major strides.
Some examples:  Ford is investing $1 billion over five years
in Pittsburgh-based  Argo AI to develop  a  virtual driver system
for  its  self-driving vehicles.  The Ford Transportation Mobility
Cloud -  an  open, cloud-based platform  -  manages  information flow and can ingest the complex data from Ford vehicles. Ford  acquired  Palo Alto, Calif.-based technology company
Autonomic, which created the mobility cloud, in 2018. It is now a
subsidiary of Ford Smart Mobility LLC.
Ford also has been working on its cybersecurity protection
strategies and getting its data strategy aligned with its goals for
privacy, Washington said.
He said Ford aims to use artificial intelligence in the developThe next-gen Sync system uses machine learning and will debut in
ment of both self-driving and human-controlled vehicles. 
the Mustang Mach-E.
26

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Shift Magazine - February 2020

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