Your Next Lyft Could Be An Autonomous Escape After Ford Team Up

Autonomous ride-hailing is getting a significant boost as Ford, Argo AI and Lyft are joining forces to offer the public rides in a self-driving Escape.

The program will kick off in Miami later this year and expand to Austin, Texas in 2022. Lyft users within “defined service areas” will be able to select the autonomous Escape and they’ll be accompanied on their journey by a safety driver, who can intervene if something goes wrong.

While the program is starting off small, Ford noted the initial deployment phase is focused on laying the groundwork for scaling operations. The company added the program is set to expand as they’re working to finalize agreements, which would see at least 1,000 autonomous vehicles deployed on the Lyft network in multiple markets over the next five years. Speaking of which, Ford’s Scott Griffith said the company is “currently piloting, mapping and preparing for commercial operations of autonomous vehicles in more cities than any other AV collaboration.”

Also Read: Ford Introduces More Advanced, 4th Gen Self-Driving Vehicle Based On Escape Hybrid

As part of the tie-up, Lyft will be sharing anonymized service and fleet data which will help Argo AI identify where they can operate safely and make a sustainable business case. In exchange for this data and access, the ride-hailing firm will receive a 2.5% stake in Argo AI.

Ford noted the collaboration is important as it “brings together all of the parts necessary to create a viable autonomous ride hailing service” including self-driving technology, a vehicle fleet and a transportation network. Lyft CEO Logan Green added this is the first time “all the pieces of the autonomous vehicle puzzle have come together this way” and noted the three firms have the “scale, knowledge and capability” to make autonomous ride-hailing a reality.