Ford and Mobileye, an Intel company, are expanding their relationship to focus on new ADAS innovations across the automaker’s lineup. Mobileye will provide its suite of EyeQ sensing technology to support different camera-based driver-assistance features found in Ford’s Co-Pilot360 package. Ford says Mobileye’s technology will increase the capability of the systems within Co-Pilot360.
“Providing people with extra confidence while driving is invaluable, and it’s exactly what our available Ford Co-Pilot360 features are designed to do,” explained Lisa Drake, Chief Operating Officer, North America; vice president, Global Purchasing, Ford Motor Company. “By customizing Mobileye’s excellent software and sensing technology, Ford’s great driver-assist features will continue to evolve and provide customers with confidence on the road throughout the life of their vehicles.”
“It is a privilege to extend and expand our long-standing collaboration with a company that is so committed to safety on behalf of its global customer base,” added Professor Amnon Shashua, president and CEO, Mobileye. “We look forward to working closely together to bring these functionalities to market in the full Ford product lineup.”
What is Ford Co-Pilot360?
Co-Pilot360 was introduced in the 2019 Fusion and is now available for most 2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The advanced safety package is also optional on Ford’s commercial vehicles (E-Series, F-650, F-750, and F59 chassis). Although features will vary by vehicle, Ford Co-Pilot360 generally includes:
- Rearview Camera
- Reverse Brake Assist
- Active Park Assist 2.0
- Lane-Keeping System
- Evasive Steering Assist
- BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert
- Auto High-Beam Headlamps
- Pre-Collision Assist with AEB
- Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control
How the Agreement Works
Ford will employ Mobileye’s EyeQ computer chips and software to support Co-Pilot360 as part of a high-volume agreement. In addition to Co-Pilot360, Ford will also use Mobileye’s technology to support the functionality of Active Drive Assist, a hands-free driving feature for the forthcoming Mustang Mach-E and the 2021 F-150.
To this end, Ford is currently evaluating Mobileye’s Roadbook, which employs anonymized, crowd-sourced data from cameras to build a high-definition map that can be accessed by ADAS technology.
Ford & Mobileye Going Forward
Although Ford and Mobileye have worked together in the past, this is the most substantial agreement the companies have made to date. Ford says they are committing to Mobileye’s technology for the “entire life cycle of its next-generation vehicles.” Both parties also say they will work with designated Ford Tier 1 providers to supply the technology necessary for vehicle integration.
New Ford vehicles will use Mobileye’s EyeQ3 and EyeQ4 for Level 1 and Level 2 ADAS platforms. Those vehicles will also display the Mobileye logo within the SYNC communications interface.
Photos & Source: Ford Motor Company, Intel.
