Domino's and Ford want to know how customers will react to having their pizzas delivered by self-driving vehicle. And starting Tuesday in Ann Arbor, the companies will test that idea.
Here's how it works.
A Ford Fusion Hybrid labeled "Self-Driving Delivery Vehicle" will deliver pizzas to randomly selected customers in that area for the next several weeks.
Now, the vehicle will not actually be operating by itself, a Ford engineer hidden by tinted windows will drive the car.
Customers will receive a text message that their pizza has arrived.
They'll find a touchscreen monitor on the car and have to type in their last four digits of the phone number from which they placed the order from.
The window of the car will then roll down and the customer can grab their order from a warming oven just inside the window.
The car will then thank the driver and then drive away.
Both Ford Motor Co. and Domino's Pizza Inc. say the six-week test will help them learn how customers react to driver-less cars. President Russell Weiner says that includes whether they'll come outside if it's raining or snowing.
