- Ford (NYSE:F) is considering taking humans out of the equation with its self-driving cars set to debut in 2021, according to Bloomberg.
- The new models won't include steering wheels or gas pedals after testing by Ford showed a propensity for people monitoring the autonomous driving to nod off or fail to show "situational awareness."
- Ford's strategy differs from that of BMW (OTCPK:BMWYY), Mercedes-Benz (OTCPK:DDAIF) and Volkswagen (VLKAY) which plan to introduce Level-3 self-driving vehicles short of full autonomy, but is consistent with testing from Waymo and statements from Volvo on human interaction.
- "Level 3 may turn out to be a myth,” warns Waymo (GOOG, GOOGL) CEO John Krafcik.
- Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson notes human drivers can't react in the needed five to ten second time frame if they are distracted during a trip.