Ford to become first one to start testing self-driving cars in Washington

American automaker company Ford has showed interest in autonomous cars and recently announced plans to test self-driving cars in the US.

Automobile manufacturer Ford, along with partner Argo AI – a leading development in self-driving system – revealed plans to test their self-driving cars in the US capital, Washington DC, aiming to initiate commercial service by the year 2021. This will make Ford to become the first developer to test vehicles in US’ capital.

Before moving to Washington, Ford already has its self-driving car testing programs in cities including Miami, Pittsburgh and Detroit. Ford and Argo AI together already have cars on the road that are aimed to spend the next year in expanding its fleet and mapping the area. Engadget wrote, Ford is also partnering with local officials in aims to create jobs in the area.

“The advent of self-driving vehicles promises a chance to make it more affordable and easier for people to get to jobs by filling gaps in access to public transportation, new ways to deliver food and other products, and more. It also means change – and how we prepare for that change will greatly impact people and their communities,” said Ford Autonomous Vehicles CEO Sherif Marakby.

According to the company, it will try to distribute its self-driving car testing equally over the eight wards that make up the district. “Both Ford and district officials are committed to exploring how self-driving vehicles can be deployed in an equitable way across the various neighborhoods that make up Washington, D.C., in a way that promotes job creation,” Marakby said.