Ford Motor Co. on Thursday announced it is opening a new research and development center in Atlanta, a move the automaker said is aimed at building a pipeline of software experts by tapping into the city's diverse pool of tech talent.
The Ford Atlanta Research and Innovation Center, or FARIC, joins R&D facilities Ford already operates in Tel Aviv and Palo Alto, California. FARIC's work will focus on developing software solutions in areas including digitally connected vehicles and artificial intelligence.
"Ford is transitioning from a traditional automotive company to a digital products and services company driven by software innovation," Jim Buczkowski, executive director of advanced engineering for Ford Research, said in a statement. "There's a high demand for tech talent across industries, and we have an opportunity to create non-traditional career pathways to attract and develop the expertise needed to stay competitive."
