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Autonomous Ford E-Transit Vans Are Here

Autonomous Ford E-Transit vans and minibuses are now driving on UK roads, powered by software developed by Oxa.

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.

“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. “This vehicle represents an important milestone in our mission to reshape the future of passenger transportation and logistics.”

Oxa has stated that one key to implementing and scaling deployment is their close relationship with OEMs and approved upfitters. Oxa create and test prototypes before rolling out the licenses to the OEMs.

Oxa have designed the autonomous Ford E-Transit so that it should comfortably integrate into existing fleets and work alongside traditional LCVs. With the vehicle providing both cargo van and minibus configurations, Oxa expect the autonomous van to fill a range of roles.

The vehicle is equipped with standard automotive-grade sensors, including cameras, lidar and radar. Full 360-degree perception and long-range detection enable autonomous operation up to 35mph in mixed traffic. Manual controls are preserved, enabling the vehicle to be used flexibly in a non-autonomous mode.

With safety a vital factor, Oxa has run a range of tests, both physical and simulated, and has used spatial AI technology to evaluate and improve performance.

Both Ford E-Transit vans and minibuses, driven by Oxa, are available now for integration into commercial fleets.