A fleet of autonomous Ford E-Transit vans and minibuses is now operational on UK and US roads, powered by Oxa Driver software. The new Ford E-Transits are the first mass-production vehicles to be converted using Oxa’s Reference Autonomy Designs (RADs).
These design blueprints allow for the rapid integration of autonomy on host vehicles, including Driven by Oxa software and sensors, compute and drive-by-wire systems. RADs are defined, prototyped and validated by Oxa before being used by vehicle OEMs and approved upfitters to mass produce AVs. This is key to scaling commercial deployments of autonomous vehicles.
Oxa’s autonomous Ford E-Transit is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing fleets, offering a versatile and capable platform to suit varied applications. The vehicle is configurable for logistics (van) and passenger services (up to 10 seats in minibus form). The compact hardware also ensures there is no compromise on cabin space inside the vehicle.
This marks a significant leap forward in the commercialization of self-driving technology. The Ford E-Transit, Europe’s best-selling large electric van, now driven by Oxa software, offers a new cost-effective platform for goods delivery and passenger services all over the world.
“Making the Ford E-Transit available for autonomous operations is the next step on our journey to deliver safe, scalable and sustainable autonomous solutions,” said Gavin Jackson, CEO of Oxa.
The vehicle is equipped with standard automotive-grade sensors, including cameras, lidar and radar. Full 360° perception and long-range detection enable autonomous operation up to 56km/h in mixed traffic. The Transit retains its manual controls, enabling it to be used in a non-autonomous mode if required.
To ensure the safe and efficient deployment of the Ford E-Transits, Oxa tests and validates using a combination of controlled environments, real-world driving and virtual testing using its Spatial AI technology. Generative AI, digital twins and simulation allow accelerated training and evaluation tailored to customers’ needs.