Ford equips volume models with Mobileye technology
Mobileye will provide its EyeQ family of semiconductor solutions, together with vision-processing software to support Level 1 and Level 2 driver-assistance systems in Ford vehicles globally. Level 1 systems are defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers as automating a single part of the driving experience, such as steering or acceleration/deceleration, while Level 2 systems provide both steering and acceleration/braking support. Both require drivers to supervise performance of the vehicle.
As part of the high-volume agreement, new production vehicles will use Mobileye’s EyeQ computer chips and software to support features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 Technology. Used to help precisely identify what the windshield camera in a vehicle can see – including lane markings, traffic signs, pedestrians and other vehicles – Mobileye’s technology will support features such as lane-keeping system, auto high-beam headlamps, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and Intelligent adaptive Cruise control, as well as active drive assist hands-free driving coming to the all-new, battery-electric Mustang Mach-E and the new F-150.
Ford will take advantage of Mobileye’s technology throughout the life of its next-generation production vehicles, including F-150 and Mustang Mach-E, as well as future products that offer advanced driver-assistance systems features. Upon request, a spokesperson of Ford’s German subsidiary acknowledged that the introduction of the ADAS platforms in question is also intended for the European market, at least for top models like the planned all-electric version of the Ford Mustang. At the present time it is unclear if midsize and compact class volume models like the Focus and Fiesta will get these platforms too.
Besides buying the Mobileye technology and using it in its driver assistance systems, Ford will also be carrying out a measure that previously has been unusual in the automotive sector: The carmaker agreed with its technology supplier to display Mobileye’s name in the vehicles. This will be done through the inclusion of Mobileye’s logo in Ford’s Sync driver-assist communication displays. Thus, customers get aware that some of Ford’s Co-Pilot360 technology includes the sensing and image processing capabilities from Mobileye.
While Ford and Mobileye have worked together for years, this marks the first time Ford is committing to the company’s technology for the entire lifecycle of its next-generation vehicles. Both parties will work with designated Ford Tier 1 providers to supply the technology for vehicle integration.
Additionally, Ford is evaluating the use of Roadbook in its vehicles. Roadbook uses anonymized, crowd-sourced data from vehicle cameras to build a high-definition map that can be accessed by vehicles and leveraged by driver-assist technology, including hands-free driving features like available Active Drive Assist.
New production Ford vehicles will use Mobileye’s EyeQ3 and EyeQ4 SoCs for Level 1 and Level 2 advanced driver-assistance systems platforms. According to Mobileye and Ford, the EyeQ family is set apart from the competition by its ability to support complex and computationally intense vision processing while maintaining low power consumption even when located on the windshield of a vehicle. Building on the capabilities of its predecessors, EyeQ4 can process multiple sensors and other inputs required for driver-assist features.
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