The facility is claimed to be the world’s first controlled environment specifically designed for developing autonomous and connected vehicle technologies. A wide range of simulated real-world obstacles are spread across the 32-acre site, including a network of roads and intersections with traffic signs and working signals.
Ford claims to be the first automaker to take advantage of the research center, known as Mcity, after testing autonomous vehicles at other facilities for more than a decade.
“Testing Ford’s autonomous vehicle fleet at Mcity provides another challenging, yet safe, urban environment to repeatedly check and hone these new technologies,” said Ford development head Raj Nair. “This is an important step in making millions of people’s lives better and improving their mobility.”
An accompanying video shows a Ford Fusion Hybrid traveling through the simulated urban streets. The sedan has been outfitted with an array of laser scanners, ultrasonic sensors and cameras to create a virtual map of the surroundings.
Ford suggests Mcity allows engineers to test certain scenarios, such as running a red light, that cannot be safely or consistently replicated on public roads.
“The goal of Mcity is that we get a scaling factor. Every mile driven there can represent 10, 100 or 1,000 miles of on-road driving in terms of our ability to pack in the occurrences of difficult events,” said UM associate professor Ryan Eustice.
Aside from Mcity, Ford is also testing its self-driving technology on public roads and at its own development facilities in Dearborn and Romeo, Michigan.
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