Most experts agree that self-driving cars will become a reality. And, chances are, within your life, you will encounter and interact with them in some way. One of those ways will most likely be a relatively simple service but one that has the potential to revolutionize an entire industry: food delivery.
That’s why Ford announced a partnership with Miami-Dade County today. The auto company will launch its first self-driving vehicle business in Miami and Miami Beach, housing a new fleet of self-driving cars in Downtown Miami.
Ford will use Miami—one of the country’s most congested cities—as a proving ground for its self-driving technology. Their thought-process is: if it can work here, it can work anywhere. Ford also says that it will begin to test pilot programs with Domino’s and Postmates starting this year, conducting research into food delivery with self-driving cars and collecting data on user interaction. In a video posted today, Ford demonstrates a young woman waltzing up to one of its self-driving cars, entering a code on the side of the car and pulling out two pizzas.
If you happen to live in an area of Miami where Ford is conducting tests (Wynwood, Downtown, Brickell, South Beach and Mid-Beach) and you order from either Domino’s or Postmates, you could be offered an opportunity to participate in the program.
Ford will also conduct research here into the viability of ride-sharing with self-driving cars. It’s all still in the test and research stages as of now, but you very well might see one of Ford’s self-driving cars scooting around town soon. And if you do, don't be a dick and try and hack your way into someone else’s pizza.
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