With the holidays upon us, Ford and Ford Fund are launching a fresh food delivery pilot featuring specialized autonomous vehicle technology near Michigan Central Station to help area seniors with mobility challenges. Over the next several months, the team will deliver an estimated 10,000 pounds of food to residents of Rio Vista Co-Op Apartments in Southwest Detroit.

The autonomous deliveries are being made as part of the Ford Resource and Engagement Center on the Go program, in partnership with Gleaners Community Food Bank, which provides participating residents with milk and cheese, as well as dry and canned goods. More than 20 seniors have already enrolled in the program, and this pilot will add an additional delivery each month of fresh produce and dairy products. The pilot runs through next summer.

Ford is researching a variety of mobility solutions in and around Michigan Central, an innovation district in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood anchored by Michigan Central Station. This pilot is one of the first projects bringing the Michigan Central mobility innovation district to life.

Along with Ford Fund and Michigan Central, the project wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of Ford’s Future Tech Autonomous Vehicle, Experience Design (XD) and City Solutions teams. While we are addressing a need in the community, we are also developing learnings from a technical and experiential design standpoint, including how to best serve underserved populations through mobility.

The pilot will utilize a low-speed autonomous shuttle operated by the Ford Future Tech Autonomous Vehicle team. Running along a fixed route in Southwest Detroit, it will have a safety driver aboard at all times and be monitored by a remote operations team that can also intervene if needed.

The shuttle was also upfitted by the XD team for efficient packing and transit of fresh food items, as well as for easy loading and unloading.

“Our vision for Michigan Central involves an open platform for innovation and collaboration – drawing the best minds from around the world to co-create and test mobility solutions on real-world streets, in real-world situations,” said John Davis, director of autonomous vehicle and future technology. “Teams across Ford are coming together to bring this idea to life. While we are researching a mobility form factor for moving goods, we also are addressing a need in the community, and learning how to improve transportation challenges for underserved groups.”

The shuttle will be adorned by the artwork of a Detroit Art School 12th-grader, Brooke Snow, who created an inclusive image of the community. She was awarded $5,000 by Ford for her work, and plans to use the money to pay for college expenses.

“Creating mobility experiences centered around people and being inclusive is at the forefront of our thinking as we design future services, said Robert Moser, global head of experience design, Ford Motor Company. “By collaborating with the community and showcasing this artwork throughout the duration of the pilot, it conveys how we are thinking about building services that make people’s lives better for all – not just one specific group.”

Together, Ford Fund and Gleaners have distributed 2.4 million pounds of food through the delivery program and Ford Resource and Engagement Centers to date. Ford Fund manages the Southwest Detroit Ford Resource and Engagement Center, which opened in 2013. The community space functions as a gathering spot for residents to develop new talents and learn new skills while providing access to essential services.

“We’re constantly thinking about how to expand our reach in communities to those who don’t have access to the most basic goods, like groceries or warm meals,” said Joe Provenzano, director, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Bringing Ford’s mobility expertise together with local partnerships allows us to create innovative solutions that make communities stronger and people’s lives better.”