Ford Motor Company on Wednesday opened its new Ford Research Center in Israel, in the heart of Tel Aviv’s technology community.
The global car-maker stated that the new center will serve as a research hub augmenting Ford’s global Research and Advanced Engineering team. It will also support Ford’s automotive and mobility businesses by identifying technologies and start-up companies in the fields of connectivity, sensors, automated-systems research, in-vehicle monitoring, and cybersecurity.
The Research Center, opened Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford, will “play a significant role as Ford pursues its vision to become the world’s most trusted company, designing smart vehicles for a smart world,” the company stated.
Ford has been working with local companies and partners in Israel’s tech community for many years. Ford has been able to work with Israel’s best technology talent and specialized companies helping to push its research and engineering efforts forward.
Bill Ford stated that the new center “is not only an expansion of our existing Research and Innovation centers but provides an opportunity to join a growing innovation community in Israel.”
Ford Research Center, Israel will operate closely with Ford’s subsidiary, SAIPS Algorithmic Solutions, led by Udy Danino, founder and CEO, who has also been appointed as Israel Technical Director for the new center. Ford acquired SAIPS over nearly three years ago.
“Expanding Ford’s presence in Israel with the new Research Center will allow us to engage with the best technology and leading companies a lot faster, and further support Ford’s goals of bringing together our vehicle and technology expertise to create new solutions to meet the mobility challenges of today and tomorrow,” said Danino.
Ford has had a presence in Israel for nearly a decade working with local tech scouts to identify innovative emerging technologies. In 2015, Ford was among the first major automakers to host a developer challenge in Israel, returning last year to Tel Aviv with its fourth annual MakeItDriveable start-up event, which originated in Israel and spread to other tech hotspots like Berlin, Dublin and Paris.