Argo AI joins Ford's Latitude AI startup

Ford Motor Company has announced that its subsidiary Latitude AI aims to develop a hands-free, eyes-off automated driving system for millions of Ford vehicles.

The company, formed last year, relies on the support of about 550 former Argo AI employees who worked in machine learning, robotics, cloud platforms, mapping, sensors and computing systems, test operations and safety engineering. The formation of Latitude AI underscores Ford's strategic realignment in automated driving technologies.

Latitude AI will automate driving during times that can be tedious, stressful and uncomfortable, such as in heavy traffic or on long stretches of highway. The company's goal is to revolutionize the customer experience and give customers back some of their precious hours a year previously spent stuck in traffic.

Unlike Argo AI, which focused on developing autonomous robotaxis, Latitude AI will develop advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), building on Ford's hands-free, highway-driving technology called BlueCruise. According to Sammy Omari, executive director of ADAS Technologies at Ford and CEO of Latitude AI, the company will accelerate the development of future technologies to make driving safer, less stressful and more enjoyable.

Latitude AI is based in Pittsburgh, where Argo AI was also headquartered, and has additional engineering locations in Dearborn, Michigan and Palo Alto, California. The company also operates a highway-speed test track facility in Greenville, South Carolina. Ford has appointed Peter Carr as chief technology officer, overseeing product and technical development of Latitude AI, and David Gollob as president, responsible for the company's business operations.

Doug Field, chief advanced product development and technology officer at Ford, commented, "We see automated driving technology as an opportunity to redefine the relationship between people and their vehicles. The deep experience and talent in our Latitude team will help us accelerate the development of new automated driving systems. Our goal is to make driving safer, less stressful and more enjoyable, and over time, give our customers back some of their precious hours each year."