-Ford is investing $1 billion during the next five years in Argo AI, combining Fords autonomous vehicle development expertise with Argo AIs robotics experience and startup speed on artificial intelligence software – all to further advance autonomous vehicles -Founded by former Google and Uber leaders, Argo AI will include roboticists and engineers from inside and outside of Ford working to develop a new software platform for Fords fully autonomous vehicle coming in 2021; through their equity participation, Argo AI employees will share in the startups growth -Investment in Argo AI strengthens Fords leadership in bringing self-driving vehicles to market in the near term and creates technology that could be licensed to others in the future

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today announces it is investing $1 billion during the next five years in Argo AI, an artificial intelligence company, to develop a virtual driver system for the automakers autonomous vehicle coming in 2021 - and for potential license to other companies.

Founded by former Google and Uber leaders, Argo AI is bringing together some of the most experienced roboticists and engineers working in autonomy from inside and outside of Ford. The team of experts in robotics and artificial intelligence is led by Argo AI founders Bryan Salesky, company CEO, and Peter Rander, company COO. Both are alumni of Carnegie Mellon National Robotics Engineering Center and former leaders on the self-driving car teams of Google and Uber, respectively.

"The next decade will be defined by the automation of the automobile, and autonomous vehicles will have as significant an impact on society as Fords moving assembly line did 100 years ago," said Ford President and CEO Mark Fields. "As Ford expands to be an auto and a mobility company, we believe that investing in Argo AI will create significant value for our shareholders by strengthening Fords leadership in bringing self-driving vehicles to market in the near term and by creating technology that could be licensed to others in the future."

The current team developing Fords virtual driver system - the machine-learning software that acts as the brain of autonomous vehicles - will be combined with the robotics talent and expertise of Argo AI. This innovative partnership will work to deliver the virtual driver system for Fords SAE level 4 self-driving vehicles.

Ford will continue to lead on development of its purpose-built autonomous vehicle hardware platform, as well as on systems integration, manufacturing, exterior and interior design, and regulatory policy management.

Argo AI will join forces with Fords autonomous vehicle software development effort to strengthen the commercialization of self-driving vehicles. Argo AIs agility and Fords scale uniquely combine the benefits of a technology startup with the experience and discipline of the automakers industry-leading autonomous vehicle development program.

"We are at an inflection point in using artificial intelligence in a wide range of applications, and the successful deployment of self-driving cars will fundamentally change how people and goods move," said Salesky. "We are energized by Fords commitment and vision for the future of mobility, and we believe this partnership will enable self-driving cars to be commercialized and deployed at scale to extend affordable mobility to all."

The collaboration supports Fords intent to have a fully autonomous, SAE level 4-capable vehicle for commercial application in mobility services in 2021.

"Working together with Argo AI gives Ford a distinct competitive advantage at the intersection of the automotive and technology industries," said Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president, Global Product Development, and chief technical officer. "This open collaboration is unlike any other partnership - allowing us to benefit from combining the speed of a startup with Fords strengths in scaling technology, systems integration and vehicle design."

Also complementing the relationship will be Ford Smart Mobility LLC, which will lead on the commercialization strategy for Fords self-driving vehicles. This includes choices for using autonomous vehicles to move goods and people, such as ride sharing, ride hailing or package delivery fleets.

Ford will be the majority stakeholder in Argo AI. Importantly, Argo AI has been structured to operate with substantial independence. Its employees will have significant equity participation in the company, enabling them to share in its success. Argo AIs board will have five members: Nair; John Casesa, Ford group vice president, Global Strategy; Salesky; Rander; and an independent director.

The $1 billion investment in Argo AI will be made over five years and is consistent with the autonomous vehicle capital allocation plan shared last September as part of Ford Investor Day.

By the end of this year, Argo AI expects to have more than 200 team members, based in the companys Pittsburgh headquarters and at major sites in Southeastern Michigan and the Bay Area of California.

Argo AIs initial focus will be to support Fords autonomous vehicle development and production. In the future, Argo AI could license its technology to other companies and sectors looking for autonomous capability.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the companys core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

About Argo AI

Argo AI is an artificial intelligence company, based in Pittsburgh and established to tackle one of the most challenging applications in computer science, robotics and artificial intelligence: self-driving vehicles. With engineering hubs in Pittsburgh, Southeastern Michigan and the Bay Area of California, the company plans to have more than 200 employees by the end of 2017. For more information regarding Argo AI and its work, please visit: www.argo.ai.