Driverless deliveries
Ford tests (sort of) driver-free vans with Miami service.
Don’t be alarmed if you get a delivery in Miami from a van that looks like it doesn’t have a driver.
Ford is testing Transit Connect vehicles that appear to be driverless and make deliveries for Postmates customers in Miami and Miami Beach, according to CNET.
The idea is to see how everyday consumers react to a delivery brought by a self-driving vehicle. But although it looks like these vans don’t have drivers because of their blacked-out windows, there is a trained driver inside.
“Ultimately, we’re trying to make interaction with self-driving vehicles as easy as possible,” Ford wrote in a blog post on Medium.com.
“Through our collaboration with Postmates, we’re testing different methods for efficient deliveries to help local businesses expand their reach and provide a seamless experience to customers.”
During this test, customers who use Postmates for deliveries will have the option to have their package arrive via one of the Ford vehicles.
When it pulls up, the customer receives a text message to come outside and punch in a code on the side of the van, where he or she can get the package.
Earlier this year, Ford launched a similar program for Domino’s Pizza deliveries using Fusion sedans in Miami and Ann Arbor, Michigan, according to Tech crunch.com
“Ultimately, we’re trying to make interaction with self-driving vehicles as easy as possible.” Blog post from Ford on Medium.com.