Ford promised Level 4 autonomy by 2021, now targeting Level 3 in 2028
Ford announced plans to implement a Level 3 driver assistance system in 2028. Such a system cannot yet fully replace the driver but no longer requires constant monitoring like Level 2 "assistants" according to the SAE classification.
What is known
The new system will debut on a model built on the Universal Electric Vehicle platform. The launch of the platform itself is scheduled for 2027.
The path to this technology has been significantly longer for Ford than expected. Back in 2016, the automaker stated that by 2021 it would transition from Level 3 to Level 4 autonomy, paving the way for the commercial operation of fully driverless vehicles.
This forecast, like many others in the industry, turned out to be too optimistic. Practice has shown that creating cars capable of moving safely without human intervention requires slow and consistent technology development.
Ford confirmed that its future Level 3 autonomy system will be based on LiDAR — a technology characteristic of most advanced automated driving systems.
The base model on the Universal Electric Vehicle platform will be a mid-size electric pickup with an estimated price of about $30,000. However, the company has not yet clarified whether this model will be the first to carry the L3 system.
In a comment to Reuters, Ford's Head of Electric Vehicles Doug Field noted that the Level 3 system will not be part of the standard equipment for the $30,000 model and will be offered as an option. The format of its sale — subscription or one-time purchase — has not yet been determined by the company.
Ford emphasizes that autonomy should not be a premium feature. The company aims to make the L3 system more accessible through its own software and hardware. According to company representatives, owning key technologies provides "significantly greater functionality while reducing costs by about 30%" compared to third-party solutions. This also simplifies system scaling.
The basis for this approach was Ford's new unified automotive "brain". A powerful computing module integrates the infotainment system, ADAS complex, audio system, and vehicle networking functions.
Source: Reuters
