Ford plans to have a fleet of fully autonomous cars operating in a ride-hail service by 2021

Ford is finally taking the plunge and setting a date for the launch of a fleet of fully autonomous cars. Ford CEO Mark Fields announced that the company is working toward launching a fleet of commercial, level 4 (one level below a completely autonomous system, in which drivers don't have to be engaged) vehicles in a ride-hail service by 2021. The details of that ride-hail service -- such as which company Ford will partner with to operate it -- still haven't been determined. Fields made the announcement at a meeting with Ford employees at the company's Palo Alto research and development center. As part of that effort, Ford is investing in Velodyne, a self-driving tech company, and is working with three other startups.