Car manufacturer Ford recently reported that it is planning to acquire Journey Holding Corporation, a transportation system software solution provider. Industry analysts have speculated that Ford latest acquisition move is part of its effort to develop its own autonomous vehicle platform.
It is reported that once Journey Holding transitions into Ford, the startup will work alongside TransLoc, a software solutions provider which Ford bought in 2018. Reports claim that Journey Holding chief executive officer Justin Rees will be the head of the yet to be unnamed combined division. The soon-to-be-formed division will reportedly host more than 200 workers.
Journey Holding was formed in 2018 when two startups merged, DoubleMap Inc. and Ride Systems. These two startups focused on developing automated vehicle location services, which can be applied to various universities, municipalities, hospitals, airports, huge fleets, and other logistical operations.
In a statement, Ford Mobility marketing and growth vice president Brett Wheatley said, "The combination of these transit technology companies will accelerate our efforts to help cities deliver more seamless, productive, and accessible transportation solutions to their citizens and visitors."
Prior to Ford's recent planned acquisition of Journey Holding, the carmaker also acquired Quantum Signal earlier that day. The startup is mainly composed of robotics experts whose operation is based mainly in Saline, Michigan, near the University of Michigan located in Ann Arbor. The company already has more than 20 years in terms of experience. The company has worked with the United States military in the development of sniper simulations and remotely controlled robots.
Ford is working into the development of a Level 4 autonomous vehicle platform. The company plans to roll out this technology into the commercial market by 2021. Among its main targets is autonomous package delivery.
Ford has reported that the company is working into the development of mobility applications. The company already has launched a pilot program of autonomous pizza and grocery delivery system. Ford utilized the Spin electric-scooter and is also expanding this operation to incorporate GoRide Health hospital shuttle service.
Ford is quite busy in terms of acquisition of startups that could help the company develop its autonomous platform ambitions. While some of the company's acquisitions have been successful, there are some that have proved to be quite the contrary. Recently, Ford closed Chariot, its on-demand shuttle service. Ford acquired it for $65 million in 2016. More recently, Ford confirmed that its investment in software company Pivotal took a massive hit with a second-quarter loss of $181 million.
