Self-driving robotaxi service by for postponed till 2022, The explanation behind the delay? Coronavirus, you know it.
If you were really looking forward to the rollout of an autonomous “robotaxi” fleet by Ford in 2021 — that’s a very specific kink, by the way — then I’ve got some unfortunate news for you, pal. This is being moved back by one year.
Why? For what? Of course due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, Ford released a statement (PDF) detailing the reasons for its decision to restrict the service to 2022:
Considering the complexities of the current operating climate and the need to determine COVID-19’s long-term effect on consumer habits, Ford agreed to postpone the start of its self-driving services to 2022. Knowing consumer behavior is a vital part of creating a modern mobility solution based on trust and making life simpler for people.
If that reads as code for “probably not the best time to ask people to get into random and largely unsupervised vehicles,” then you’re probably not far from the truth. Look at the problems that Lyft and Uber face during the pandemic, and you’ll get some insight into what Ford will be up against.
Ford’s spokesperson adds, “Taking the time to examine trends in customer preferences allows Ford the ability to analyze and eventually change our go-to-market approach to address emerging consumer demands. As part of this assessment, we also want to ensure that the customer experience we are developing provides customers with peace of mind ensuring that they or their products are in a safe and secure environment.
Ford also reported a loss of $2 billion for the second quarter, and that its luxury brand Lincoln is canceling a planned Rivian-based SUV. That’s not to say that Ford is absolutely hanging its hat, though. It also plans to go through both its first built-to-use electric vehicle — the Mustang Mach E — and its reimagined Bronco SUV with the launches.
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