At the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Ford made a significant announcement. Its in-car AI voice assistant is slated to become operational later this year. Meanwhile, the L3 autonomous driving feature, which is built on the UEV pure - electric platform, is set to make its debut on the roads in 2028. The UEV platform itself is projected to be unveiled in 2027.

In a strategic move, rather than diving into the in - house development of large language models or chips, Ford has chosen to concentrate on self - developed electronic and computing modules. This approach allows the company to better manage costs and maintain control over the system.

Ford is currently facing pressure due to setbacks in its electrification efforts. As a result, it has made the tough decision to cancel the F - 150 Lightning project. Instead, the company is increasing its investments in the hybrid and energy storage sectors. Additionally, it is narrowing its focus within the autonomous driving field.

When it comes to its AI strategy, Ford strikes a balanced approach. It neither goes all - in nor remains on the sidelines. The company's AI assistant is expected to be available in mobile apps in 2026 and will be integrated into in - car systems in 2027.

At present, the core of Ford's autonomous driving technology is BlueCruise, which is set to undergo gradual upgrades. Moreover, through restructuring its computing architecture, Ford has achieved remarkable results. It has managed to reduce system costs by around 30%. Furthermore, the company has introduced a computing module that is 44% smaller in volume while offering superior performance, all in pursuit of an overall optimal solution.