Ford is also taking the proactive step to 'lock-out' capabilities that are not relevant to the task of driving while the vehicle is in motion.

Lengagne's software then converts these static poses into one smooth motion, taking into account the forces operating on the robot in each position to ensure it does not lose balance.

But it was the indefinable sense of promise that is taking this to a new level, with the biggest advantage set in motion last week not fully revealing itself until next month.