Ford and VW close down Argo AI autonomous-car unit

Autonomous-car specialist Argo AI is closing down after Ford and Volkswagen, Argo’s main backers, ended support for the Pittsburgh-based company. First reported by TechCrunch and later confirmed by the two auto giants, some of the 2,000 workers at Argo will transfer to Ford and Volkswagen, while others without an offer will receive a severance package. Argo’s technology is also set to end up in the possession of the two companies, though at this stage it’s not clear how it might be shared.

“In coordination with our shareholders, the decision has been made that Argo AI will not continue on its mission as a company,” Argo said in a statement on Wednesday. “Many of the employees will receive an opportunity to continue work on automated driving technology with either Ford or Volkswagen, while employment for others will unfortunately come to an end.” Ford said that for now it intends to focus on developing driver assistance technology rather than aiming for full automation, which Argo was working on. Jim Farly, Ford president, said on Wednesday that when the automaker invested in Argo and autonomous vehicles in 2017, it anticipated being able to bring to market by 2021 self-driving capabilities graded at Level 4, a level described as highly advanced and one grade short of the maximum Level 5, which offers full automation.

But in a strategic pivot, Farly said Ford is currently working on L2+ and L3 applications that “make transportation even safer.” He said he felt “optimistic about a future for L4 advanced driver assistance systems, but profitable, fully autonomous vehicles at scale are a long way off and we won’t necessarily have to create that technology ourselves.” The Ford president confirmed that the automaker will hire engineers from Argo to expand and speed up the development of these opportunities. Meanwhile, German automaker Volkswagen said it will now shift its focus toward Cariad, its unit developing autonomous driving software.

In a statement, Oliver Bloom, the automaker’s CEO, said “focus and speed count” when it comes to developing future technologies, adding that Volkswagen’s goal is to give its customers “the most powerful functions at the earliest possible time and to set up our development as cost-effectively as possible.” Argo was co-founded six years ago by Bryan Salesky, who came from Google’s autonomous-car unit that eventually became Waymo, and Peter Rander, who had earlier worked on Uber’s now-abandoned self-driving project. Argo has been testing its autonomous vehicles in eight cities around the world, and in May it announced it had started testing fully driverless vehicles in Miami and Austin.

It had also partnered with Walmart to test a driverless delivery service, and robotaxi services were in its sights, too. Ford and Volkswagen’s Argo investments totaled £1 billion and £2.6 billion, respectively, but the two automakers have now concluded that the dream of fully autonomous vehicles is not worth chasing, at least for now. The joint move is an indication of the pressures faced by firms in the autonomous-car industry, with large financial investments yet to lead to any meaningful revenue returns.

One of the industry leaders, Alphabet-owned Waymo, has been testing robotaxi services for paying customers in several U.S. cities since 2018, but local regulations and the technology’s careful development mean that progress on exiting pilots and rolling out such services more widely is slow.

Editors’ Recommendations

Tags:

canva listed on couponmatrix.ukcar-parts-4-less listed on couponmatrix.ukmichael-kors listed on couponmatrix.ukpizzaexpress listed on couponmatrix.ukstanfords listed on couponmatrix.ukwightlink listed on couponmatrix.uk
canva listed on couponmatrix.ukBoth professional and amateur designers alike will have their hands full with Canva, the online design and publishing tool designed to turn great ideas into magnificent prints, media posts and memorabilia. Bring along a Canva discount code and you can secure a subscription that will bring your best concepts to life for a fraction of the normal price. Whether you’re beginning your own start-up, rebranding your business or just want some wacky custom printed t-shirts, there’s fun and success to be shared in equal measure with Canva.
car-parts-4-less listed on couponmatrix.ukSteer into the fast lane to savings with CarParts4Less, the largest online vehicle parts supplier in the UK and give your motor the attention it deserves. Snap up a CarParts4Less discount code from us to invest in high-quality engine parts, spark plugs, lubricants and more, without letting costs veer out of control. Whether you’re hoping to work on your trusty Ford’s brakes or switch up your Audi’s engine, look no further than CarParts4Less.
michael-kors listed on couponmatrix.ukGive your look a dose of Michael Kors magic and kit yourself out in award-winning designer fashion from head to toe. With the help of a Michael Kors discount code from us, you could indulge in a guilt-free spree of on-trend clothing and luxury accessories. From printed dresses and effortlessly cool jumpsuits to hooded jackets and razor-sharp suits, Michael Kors offers men and women alike the chance to up their style game with edgy designs and buckets of attitude.
pizzaexpress listed on couponmatrix.ukIt’s hard to look past the culinary delights of a PizzaExpress meal. Offering that little extra which other names can’t quite rival, this English brand has been serving up delicious food since way back in 1965. These days there are 470 branches dotted throughout the UK, with a further 100 spread overseas in Europe and Asia. Such has been the success of the franchise, it was sold for a staggering £900 million in 2014 to the Chinese corporation Hony Capital. That shift in management hasn’t seen much change in the kitchen though. The chain continues to produce elite quality food, all for very reasonable prices.
stanfords listed on couponmatrix.ukIf you love books, then you'll love Stanfords. Being a trusted retailer of literature since 1853, Stanfords is now one of the leading bookstores in the UK, with an inventory that’s grown to include maps, globes, stationery and gifts. So whether you’re travelling or seeking knowledge on anything from history to photography, use a Stanfords discount code to save on your next order. So why not stock up on all your reading material needs at Stanford's? Here at Groupon, we want to help cut costs for customers in any way possible – maps, books and accessories included. Whether you're looking for a code for free shipping or a percentage off your order, we'll do our best to help you find it. If you're looking for ways to save on Stanfords products, - be it popular walking trails, a wall print or even a travel rucksack – be sure to check out Groupon first. One of Stanfords top-selling products is its selection of books. With a Stanfords promo code, you could end up securing multiple new editions for the price of one. Plus, Stanfords offers free shipping on orders over £35, so you can get your books delivered right to your door without spending a penny. So don’t wait another second, start your next reading adventure at Stanfords. Using a Stanfords discount code is easy! Just enter the code at checkout and you'll instantly save on your purchase. Plus, be sure to check back often for new codes as we update them regularly. So what are you waiting for!
wightlink listed on couponmatrix.ukIt’s never been easier to explore the Isle of Wight than with Wightlink ferries. The service shuttles over 4.5 million passengers to and from the Isle of Wight yearly, and has recently invested 45 million into an environmentally friendly flagship. Bringing you sandy beaches, castles, theme parks, restaurants, sailing and much more, the Isle of Wight provides the perfect day out or weekend trip for everyone. With the Wightlink discount code, you can enjoy the wonders of the Isle for less. With crossings available from three fantastic locations in Southern England, the Wightlink ferry service is the perfect service for you.