Ford Testing Autonomous Delivery of Food in Detroit

A safety driver will always be inside the shuttle.

Ford Motor said today it is starting an autonomous fresh food delivery pilot. It is expected to bring 10,000 pounds of fresh food to ‘mobility challenged’ senior citizens in Southwest Detroit. The service uses a low-speed autonomous shuttle running along a fixed route in the Michigan Central area where Ford is researching mobility.

The six-month pilot will use a low-speed autonomous shuttle operated by the Ford future tech autonomous vehicle team and Quantum Signal AI, a wholly owned Ford subsidiary. It will run between the Southwest Detroit Ford Resource and Engagement Center, where bags will be loaded, then taken to Rio Vista, where groceries will be distributed to participating residents.

The exterior design for the shuttle, which “reflects the diversity of the Southwest Detroit neighborhood and a message of community,” was created by Detroit School of Arts 12th-grader Brooke Snow. Snow plans to use the $5000 she was awarded for her design to pay for college expenses.

A safety driver will be inside the shuttle at all times and be monitored by a remote operations team that can also intervene if needed. The pilot vehicle has been modified by Ford’s experience design team for “efficient packing and transit of fresh food items and for easy loading and unloading.” (Toyota Starts Free Autonomous Shuttle in Indianapolis; Toyota e-Palette Operating Again After Olympic Pedestrian Hit; Toyota e-Palette Hits Pedestrian at Paralympic Games)

Residents of Rio Vista Detroit Co-op Apartments senior living center who get their existing food deliveries from the complimentary program will see them double in the coming weeks as they receive an additional shipment of groceries through the pilot. The program and pilot are essential to more than 20 Rio Vista residents who have already opted-in to this complimentary service as a reliable way to receive their groceries without needing to secure transportation. The Ford Resource and Engagement Center (FREC) on the Go, launched earlier this year by Ford Fund and Gleaners Community Food Bank are behind the pilot.

“We’re constantly thinking about how to expand our reach in communities for those who don’t have access to the most basic goods, like groceries or warm meals,” said Joe Provenzano, mobility director, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Bringing Ford’s mobility expertise together with local collaborations allows us to create innovative solutions that make communities stronger and people’s lives better.”

Ford Fund and Gleaners have distributed 2.4 million pounds of food through the delivery program and Ford Resource and Engagement Centers. Participants currently receive a mix of dry and canned goods plus fresh produce, including milk and cheese. Now, Rio Vista residents will receive another delivery each month containing additional fresh produce and milk. The items were determined based on feedback from residents who are already participating and will be reevaluated throughout the pilot.

An exterior design on the shuttle representing the Southwest Detroit neighborhood, created by Detroit School of Arts 12th-grader Brooke Snow, displays an inclusive message of community. Snow plans to use the $5,000 she was awarded for her design to pay for college expenses.

“Creating mobility experiences centered around people and being inclusive is at the forefront of our thinking as we design future services,” said Robert Moser, global head of experience design, Ford Motor Company. “By collaborating with the community and showcasing this artwork throughout the duration of the pilot, it conveys how we are thinking about building services that make people’s lives better for all – not just one specific group.”

Ford is researching a variety of mobility solutions in and around Michigan Central, an innovation district located in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. Through this grocery delivery pilot, the company aims to learn the best methods for future autonomous goods delivery – from both a technical and experiential standpoint, including how to meet the needs of people living in under-served communities.

Ford Fund manages the Southwest Detroit Ford Resource and Engagement Center, which opened its doors in 2013. The community space functions as a gathering spot for residents to develop new talents and learn new skills, while providing access to essential services. For more information on the Ford Resource and Engagement Center on the Go program and zip code eligibility, call 313.806.0370.