Ford makes a bigger bet on Silicon Valley

Ford (F) is joining the growing list of automakers beefing up its presence in the Silicon Valley. The automaker on Thursday opened the Research and Innovation Center Palo Alto to develop new technologies the company plans to incorporate into future vehicles.

The automaker will also be working with researchers at Stanford University to test a Fusion Hybrid Autonomous Research Vehicle.

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"This new research center shows Ford's commitment to be part of the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem— anticipating customers' wants and needs, especially connectivity, mobility and autonomous vehicles," Ford President and CEO Mark Fields said. "We are working to make these new technologies accessible to everyone."

Ford's research center reflects tech's growing importance in the auto industry. From advanced electronics to autonomous and semi-autonomous drive software to the increased connectivity in new vehicles, automakers realize the future of autos and transportation will roll through Silicon Valley.