Full-Time
Posted on 2/13/2026
Automated driving systems for Ford vehicles
$163.6k - $199.9k/yr
H1B Sponsorship Available
Palo Alto, CA, USA
Hybrid
Bachelor's
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Latitude AI is a Ford Motor Company subsidiary focused on developing automated driving technologies for Ford vehicles. It works by integrating advanced autonomous driving systems into Ford’s vehicle lineup to enable hands-free, eyes-off driver assistance, leveraging sensors, software, and Ford’s manufacturing scale. The company is distinguished by combining startup agility with the manufacturing and scale capabilities of a major automaker and by serving millions of Ford customers with enhanced driving experiences. Latitude AI’s goal is to make driving safer, reduce driver stress, and increase enjoyment while giving drivers time back on their journeys.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Founded
2022
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Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Medical Leave
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Monthly Wellness Stipend
Professional Development Budget
Mental Health Support
Employee Discounts
Adoption Assistance
Backup Child and Elder Care Program
Pre-tax Commuter Benefits
Employer-paid Group Term Life Insurance
Ford $30,000 EV truck will have Apple Maps built in. July 29, 2026 The Ford $30,000 EV truck is getting Apple Maps before Ford has even revealed its name. Beginning with the Universal Electric Vehicle platform in 2027, Ford plans to embed Apple's navigation directly into the vehicle, with no connected iPhone required. That matters because built-in navigation can feel like the part of a new car designed by someone who has never been lost. Ford is betting that familiar maps, real-time traffic, natural-language directions and EV routing will make its affordable electric pickup easier to live with. It also turns the dashboard into another Apple-versus-Google contest. Ford is giving the native mapping job on its new EV platform to Apple while keeping CarPlay. This is not the Apple Car. It is Apple moving deeper into automobiles by supplying software for someone else's truck. You may also enjoy this Ford Video: Apple Maps will work without an iPhone. Apple and Ford say the system will use Apple's new MapKit for Automotive software. The navigation experience will appear directly on Ford's displays with turn-by-turn guidance, traffic and incident information, detailed place searches and route choices. Because Apple Maps is embedded in the vehicle, the native navigation will not require a connected iPhone. CarPlay will remain available for drivers who prefer to mirror their phone, so Ford is not forcing buyers into a single experience. The EV features may matter more than the logo. Ford says the system will include intelligent electric-vehicle routing and battery preconditioning. The truck can plan around charging and prepare its battery before a stop, which can improve charging performance when conditions allow. Apple also says it will not collect location details or vehicle-map activity in a way tied to an individual driver. Ford $30,000 EV truck gets more than navigation. The map data will do more than help drivers find lunch. Ford plans to use road-level Apple Maps information to help develop its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free highway system. Ford-owned Latitude AI is developing automated-driving technology expected to debut on the Universal Electric Vehicle platform in 2027. Ford says Apple's mapping information can support a smoother on-ramp-to-off-ramp hands-free experience. That does not make the pickup self-driving. BlueCruise is a driver-assistance system, and the driver must remain attentive and ready to take control. The notable change is that mapping data, vehicle sensors and software are being designed together from the start. Why Apple Maps matters in a google-heavy market. Drivers may wonder why Ford chose Apple Maps instead of Google Maps. Ford has not presented the decision as a rejection of Google, but the choice gives Apple a major position in an affordable vehicle program. For Apple, this is a clever automotive strategy. Building an entire car is expensive and unforgiving. Supplying navigation, a privacy framework and road-level data lets Apple shape the driving experience without putting its badge on the hood. Ford gets a familiar consumer brand attached to a truck intended to make EVs feel less intimidating. Adding recognizable navigation and hands-free technology makes a $30,000 electric pickup sound less like a stripped-down price special and more like a mainstream product. The $30,000 price is still a target. Ford says the first Universal Electric Vehicle platform model will be a midsize, four-door electric pickup assembled at Louisville Assembly Plant and reaching customers in 2027. The company has targeted a starting price of about $30,000. That figure is not a final window sticker. Ford has not announced the truck's production name, EPA range, towing capacity, charging speed, trim structure or destination charge. Those details will determine whether the pickup is genuinely affordable or begins with one difficult-to-find entry model. Still, Ford is not presenting affordability as an excuse for bargain-basement software. The truck is supposed to combine a low starting price, useful EV routing and increasingly capable hands-free driving. The next thing to watch is whether Ford can deliver the truck near $30,000, make charging simple and keep the most useful technology from disappearing behind expensive trims or subscriptions.
Ford to integrate Apple Maps into affordable EVs starting in 2027. Ford has confirmed a new partnership with Apple that will bring Apple Maps directly into its next-generation affordable electric vehicles, marking a significant step forward in connected EV technology. Beginning with Ford's new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform in 2027, the built-in navigation system will be powered by Apple Maps, delivering an integrated experience that does not require drivers to own an iPhone. The announcement also confirms that Apple CarPlay will remain available, allowing customers to continue using their preferred smartphone interface while benefiting from Apple Maps as the vehicle's native navigation solution. Apple Maps becomes native navigation for Ford EVs. The collaboration is built around Apple's new MapKit for Automotive SDK, which enables automakers to integrate Apple Maps directly into their infotainment systems while customising the interface to match the design of their vehicles. Ford's upcoming EVs will feature a navigation system that includes: - Turn-by-turn guidance using natural language. - Real-time traffic and incident updates. - Intelligent destination search with detailed place information. - Dynamic route planning based on live road conditions. - EV-specific routing with charging stops when needed. For electric vehicle owners, one of the most valuable features will be intelligent EV routing. The system can calculate charging stops along a journey, display charger availability in real time, estimate remaining battery range and automatically precondition the battery before arriving at a compatible charging station. Battery preconditioning helps optimise charging speeds, reducing time spent plugged in during long-distance trips. Apple has steadily expanded its EV capabilities in recent years, and Ford plans to take advantage of the platform's deeper vehicle integration to create a more seamless ownership experience. Apple Maps data will power next-generation BlueCruise. The partnership extends beyond navigation. Ford will also use Apple Maps' detailed road-level mapping data to support development of its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free driving system. The goal is to create an even smoother "on-ramp-to-off-ramp" driving experience by combining Apple's mapping information with Ford's own autonomous driving technology. Development is being led by Latitude AI, Ford's wholly owned autonomous driving subsidiary. The team consists of around 600 engineers specialising in machine learning, robotics and software development. Latitude AI is building the Ford Large Driving Model, an advanced AI system trained using millions of miles of real-world driving data. Ford says designing both the hardware and software in-house will allow its driver-assistance technology to scale efficiently across future vehicle line-ups while keeping costs under control. Affordable Ford EVs begin in 2027. Apple Maps will debut on Ford's new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, a modular architecture designed to underpin a family of affordable electric vehicles. The first model is expected to arrive in 2027 as a midsize electric pickup with a starting price of around $30,000. Ford CEO Jim Farley says the vehicle is intended to make advanced technology more accessible without sacrificing capability. Although Ford has not officially revealed the truck's name, industry speculation suggests it could revive the Ranchero badge after the company filed a trademark application in 2025. Prototype vehicles have already been spotted testing, revealing an unusually steeply raked A-pillar design for a pickup truck. Multiple powertrain and battery options expected. Early reports indicate the electric pickup will initially be offered in rear-wheel-drive form using a permanent-magnet electric motor. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive version is also expected, adding an induction motor to power the front axle. Ford is reportedly planning to offer several battery pack options, allowing buyers to choose between a lower purchase price or extended driving range. The truck is expected to be sold exclusively as a four-door crew cab. The same UEV Platform is also expected to underpin additional electric SUVs and trucks in the coming years, although Ford has yet to announce the full model lineup. Ford and Apple aim to raise the standard for EV software. The new partnership reflects a growing trend among automakers to improve the in-car software experience by working with established technology companies rather than developing every feature internally. By embedding Apple Maps directly into its affordable EV platform, Ford aims to deliver a navigation system that is easier to use while enhancing charging convenience, route planning and hands-free driving capabilities. Combined with the next evolution of BlueCruise and Ford's in-house AI development through Latitude AI, the company's upcoming affordable EV platform promises to offer advanced technology previously reserved for more expensive vehicles. With the first model arriving in 2027, Ford is positioning its next generation of electric vehicles to compete not only on price but also on software, connectivity and driver assistance.
Ford to use Apple Maps software in self-driving tech for new EV platform. Jul 23, 2026 - 12:17 Ford is planning to integrate Apple software into its next-generation fleet of electric vehicles, which will in turn help power hands-free driving technology. Apple and Ford announced Thursday that Apple Maps will be included in the automakers' new Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) platform through the use of Apple's MapKit for Automotive SDK. Ford's UEV will debut with a mid-size electric in 2027, and buyers won't need a separate Apple subscription to use the software in the vehicle. The UEV will harness that tech to give drivers turn-by-turn directions with the use of natural language, giving them real-time traffic and incident information, as well as a search function that uses detailed place cards and routing options. The partnership will also see Ford use road-level data from Apple Maps in the development of the company's next-generation BlueCruise hands-free driving capability, as well as its in-house autonomous driving tech. Apple's MapKit for Automotive SDK provides road-level information to help automakers develop self-driving technologies, and the company said the tool uses the same privacy practices as Apple Maps - noting that it doesn't collect users' location details and activity in a way that can be linked to the individual user. "Apple Maps delivers the best map experience in the world, and we're excited to bring the power of Maps' navigation technology to Ford's innovative Universal Electric Vehicle Platform," said Eddy Cue, Apple's SVP of services and health. "With our new MapKit for Automotive SDK, we're bringing Maps further into drivers' daily lives, giving them an incredibly accurate and easy-to-use navigation system that is seamlessly integrated into Ford vehicles," Cue added. Ford CEO Jim Farley said that the company's next midsize EV will be priced around $30,000 and "redefines what advanced technology can be - simple, useful, and truly attainable for more customers." "We're proud to embed Apple Maps' navigation and mapping technology directly into our Universal Electric Vehicle Platform alongside our Ford app, a full suite of software, and next-generation BlueCruise, all enabled by a new zonal architecture," Farley said. "Apple Maps has delivered a world-class product, and we're honored to be among the first to embed it directly into a vehicle, helping define intuitive, capable driving," he added. Latitude AI, Ford's wholly owned subsidiary focused on autonomous driving, is developing the company's in-house advanced driving system. The Ford Large Driving Model supports a range of self-driving capabilities and has been derived from millions of miles of real-world driving data, the company said. Ford and Latitude are designing both the hardware and software to be easily scalable across the automaker's lineup of vehicles. The company indicated that work "is vital to Ford and Latitude's mission of democratizing autonomy and delivering a compelling experience at an attainable price point on the UEV Platform."
Apple Maps to power the navigation experience for the Ford Universal Electric Vehicle Platform. Apple and Ford today announced that Apple Maps will be integrated directly into Ford's upcoming Universal Electric Vehicle (UEV) Platform through Apple's new MapKit for Automotive SDK. Coming to Ford's UEV Platform in 2027, this integration will deliver a beautiful and easy-to-use navigation experience powered by Apple Maps directly to the vehicle's displays. Road-level Maps information will also enable Ford's Latitude AI team to build a seamless hands-free driving experience. Leveraging Apple's new MapKit for Automotive SDK, Ford's UEV Platform will offer drivers turn-by-turn directions using natural language, real-time traffic and incident information, intuitive search featuring detailed place cards, and routing options to help users easily find the best route to their destination. Additionally, Ford UEV drivers will benefit from an intelligent EV routing functionality, including battery preconditioning. Ford will also use road-level information from Apple Maps as part of the development of its next-generation BlueCruise hands-free highway driving capability to deliver a more seamless on-ramp-to-off-ramp experience. "Apple Maps delivers the best map experience in the world, and we're excited to bring the power of Maps' navigation technology to Ford's innovative Universal Electric Vehicle Platform," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services and Health. "With our new MapKit for Automotive SDK, we're bringing Maps further into drivers' daily lives, giving them an incredibly accurate and easy-to-use navigation system that is seamlessly integrated into Ford vehicles." "Our new midsize electric vehicle will be priced around $30,000 and redefines what advanced technology can be - simple, useful, and truly attainable for more customers," said Jim Farley, Ford Motor Company's CEO. "We're proud to embed Apple Maps' navigation and mapping technology directly into our Universal Electric Vehicle Platform, giving customers the ultimate navigation experience alongside our Ford app, a full suite of software, and next-generation BlueCruise, all enabled by a new zonal architecture. Apple Maps has delivered a world-class product, and we're honored to be among the first to embed it directly into a vehicle, helping define intuitive, capable driving." Development of Ford's next-generation self-driving technology is led by Latitude AI, Ford's wholly owned autonomy subsidiary of 600 machine learning, robotics, and software experts, who are building Ford's proprietary in-house advanced driving system (ADAS). Latitude is developing the Ford Large Driving Model, which supports a spectrum of self-driving capabilities, all derived from millions of miles of real-world driving data. Ford and Latitude design both the hardware and the software, making Ford's self-driving technology highly efficient and easily scalable across the Ford lineup. This is vital to Ford and Latitude's mission of democratizing autonomy and delivering a compelling experience at an attainable price point on the UEV Platform.