Vehicles without a driver are on the way right now, and Argo AI is one of several key companies that are driving the development of this complex technology. Backed by a large initial investment from Ford, Argo has its own driverless vehicles on actual city streets in several states. Because Argo is an independent company, its unique brand of driverless technology could appear on vehicles from Volkswagen and other car manufacturers.
Why is Argo AI developing driverless cars, and who uses them?
Argo AI’s stated mission is to lead what it calls a «thoughtful revolution» in driving. The problem, from Argo AI’s point of view, is that more than a million people die every year as a result of road traffic accidents worldwide, and a significant proportion of these deaths are caused by human error.
The main idea is that artificial intelligence (AI) cannot get tired, drunk, or suffer from momentary delusions, so carefully incorporating AI systems into driverless vehicles could save lives.
Besides security, there are many other applications of this type for technology. Ford has adopted Argo AI technology for use in its vehicles, and they are already partnering with a number of other companies to explore how driverless cars can revolutionize areas like transportation and delivery.
In one partnership with Postmates, Argo AI powered Ford vans were used for deliveries without the need for a human driver. Ford has also partnered with Walmart to offer home delivery using Argo AI vehicles, and some small businesses have also participated in similar pilot programs.
Competitors such as Uber and supported by Google Waymo have shown how driverless cars can effectively replace human-driven taxis and buses. Likewise, these vehicles can also be used by the elderly and the disabled, who would otherwise not be able to drive their own vehicles.
Driverless cars are not legal in every state. You may (or may not) find one driving in your area anytime soon!
What is Argo II?
Argo AI is an independent, self-managed technology company that was founded in 2016. Within six months of its founding, the company received a billion-dollar investment from Ford on the understanding that Ford would rely on Argo AI technology to build its own driverless vehicles. ,
Thanks to strong investment from Ford, Argo AI was able to rapidly develop self-driving car technology after the initial prototype phase, with driverless cars actually on the roads in several states less than a year after the company was founded.
Despite Ford’s large investment in the company, it remains independent. This means that while Ford was the first to start using its driverless technology, Argo AI has the right to license it to other companies like Volkswagen.
How does Argo AI Driverless Cars work?
Argo AI vehicles use sensors to map the environment and an artificial intelligence program to interpret this map and determine appropriate actions. Artificial intelligence is able to engage any system in the car, including the throttle, brakes, steering and everything else, using electronic control.
Base routes are planned and implemented using sensors Global Positioning System (GPS) but AI has the ability to make corrections in real time in response to changing conditions, such as a sudden stop in traffic or pedestrians entering the road.
The artificial intelligence driving the Argo AI car learns through machine learning understand how to respond to different types of stimuli. This initial work is done in closed test facilities, so the AI is already a pretty good driver before it hits the public roads.
Argo AI can use data collected from across the fleet to further refine AI, and Ford is also partnering with competitors such as Uber to share data from each company’s real-world driverless vehicle tests to improve each company’s safety. separate system.
The first driverless Argo AI vehicles were built into existing Ford vehicles such as the Ford Focus and Ford Transit. This means they have traditional controls, including a steering wheel and pedals, in addition to AI controls.
