Ford will use a modified Fusion Hybrid to test its driverless car technology on California roads starting next year.
It already received a permit to begin operating a driverless car, distinctive for the four LIDAR (light detection and ranging) sensors mounted on its roof, on public streets as part of the California Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program according to Computer World. A number of 2016 Fusions will begin driving around Silicon Valley and San Francisco streets.
The prototype autonomous Ford Fusion is already being tested in a close-course setting in the Palo Alto area.
"The Fusion, when it hits the road, will be occupied by one operator, who will monitor the driving controls, and one systems expert, who will monitor the car's sensors," James McBride, founder of Ford's autonomous vehicle program, said.
McBride said Ford wants to develop a Level 4 driverless car that does not rely on driver input even in cases of emergency.
"We've always taken the approach that we want the car to be able to handle any scenario a human would, and not suddenly throw the driving back into the lap of the driver" when the going gets rough," McBride added.
In Michigan and Arizona, Fusions used 360-degree cameras and radar to see more of the road.
Ford has more than 100 engineers, researchers and scientist in is Research and Innovation Center in Palo Alto according to PC World. Teams of engineers must first devise routes and create extremely detailed maps.
"They have to make sure their cars are relevant, going forward. The cars have to be safer, just like they have to be more fuel efficient. All the car companies are looking at the entire spectrum, including fully autonomous cars," Thilo Koslowski, Gartner's vice president and automotive practice leader, said.
The Detroit auto company is an addition to the growing list of companies in the driverless car technology authorized by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles.
