Argo AI, Ford And Walmart Synergize To Create Freight Forwarding Services With Autonomous Vehicles

JAKARTA - Self-driving start-up Argo AI, automaker Ford Motor Co and Walmart Inc will jointly launch an autonomous vehicle delivery service in Miami, Austin, and Washington, DC

According to a statement from Argo AI, on Wednesday, September 15, Initial integration testing of the three companies is expected to begin later this year.

This move was taken as consumer expectations shifted to next-day or same-day delivery, especially in urban areas with a higher concentration of shipments.

The multi-city service will also allow Walmart customers to order online groceries and other popular items for autonomous delivery to their homes.

Argo's cloud-based system will integrate with Walmart's online ordering platform to direct orders and schedule package deliveries. Ford's self-driving test vehicle with the Argo self-driving system will then ship the order to the customer.

"This collaboration will further our mission to bring products to our customers' homes at unrivaled speeds", said Tom Ward, senior vice president of long-distance shipping at Walmart in the United States.

Walmart has previously partnered with General Motor's Cruise on a self-driving delivery pilot and with self-driving vehicle startups Gatik and Nuro to explore delivery via autonomous vehicles. But somehow they also made new deals with Argo AI and Ford.