Ford wants to keep drivers alert on the long road to autonomous cars

Self-driving vehicles will make the driver redundant, but long before that, smarter cars may leave the driver thinking about other things. Ford is already studying that problem, anticipating an evolution toward autonomous cars that will take a lot longer than projects by the likes of Google may suggest. For now, the motorist is still in charge--with some help. "We still have a driver-centric model. We still think the driver needs to be engaged," said Don Butler, Ford's executive vice president of connected vehicle and services.