Ford Experiments With Ride-Sharing Technology, Service
Ford’s GoRide sharing service — something between buses and taxis — being tested in 25 worldwide projects.
Ford Motor Company is experimenting with modes of transportation beyond owner-driven cars and trucks.
The automaker is testing 25 mobility projects around the world to figure out how to move people when driving themselves is something they can’t — or don’t want—to do.
Ford’s answer to ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft is a shuttle service called “GoRide,” which uses a specially-designed Transit Connect van, which is on display during previews of the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit.
Ford’s Patrick Ellis, the company’s connected vehicle research manager, tells WDET’s Pat Batcheller that “GoRide” could fill gaps between scheduled bus service and on-demand taxi services.
“You’re able to go from point to point within a city, but the routes are created on demand as users request rides,” Ellis says. “Along the way, while you’re in the shuttle, if someone requests a ride that’s on your way and is able to be fulfilled while still coming out at the time that we’ve quoted you, you’re able to share in that and get a discount on your fare while still getting to your location on time.”
Ford’s mobility project will be part of the automaker’s display at the auto show, which opens to the public on Saturday, January 16.
Click on the audio player above to hear the conversation.
