It is easy to feel that the autonomous vehicle (AV) industry has settled into depression. The hyperbolic buzz around cars driving smoothly a few years ago has been tempering as developers discover that humans not only drive well, which sets a high bar for their cars, but humans also drive. wrong in unique ways, depending on where they are. (People drive badly in Las Vegas differently than the way they drive badly in San Francisco, etc.)
Our streets may not be overflowing with robotaxis, as promised to us around 2017, but here and there AV companies are starting to deploy commercially. Argo AI, the AV start-up strongly supported by Ford, Volkswagen and others, is one such company. On Wednesday, Argo, Ford and Walmart revealed they will work together to launch last-mile deliveries from the retail giant’s stores in Austin, Texas; Miami, Florida; and Washington, DC.
“Our focus on testing and developing automatic driving technology that operates in urban areas where customer demand is high really comes to life with this collaboration,” said Bryan Salesky, founder and CEO of Argo AI. “Working together with Walmart and Ford in three markets, we show the potential of large-scale autonomous vehicle delivery services.”
“Argo and Ford are aggressively preparing for large-scale autonomous vehicle operations in a wide footprint of U.S. cities,” said Scott Griffith, CEO of Ford Autonomous Vehicles and Mobility Businesses. “Pairing Walmart’s retail and e-commerce leadership with Argo and Ford’s autonomous driving operations across these multiple cities marks a significant step toward the scale of a commercial freight delivery service that, in Ultimately, it will enhance business efficiency on a first scale and allow for a great consumer experience. “
Argo AI and Ford have been testing their AV systems in Miami and DC since 2018 and began testing in Austin the following year. The trio says the first standalone deliveries to Walmart customers will begin later this year. At the same time, Ford and Argo will begin deploying robotaxis carrying passengers to Austin and Miami.