Allstate Insurance Co. has reached a research agreement to partner with the Intelligent Systems Laboratory at Stanford University around autonomous driving, the company announced.

The scope of the research includes machine learning, artificial intelligence and highly autonomous vehicle systems. Stanford professor Mykel Kochenderfer will serve as the principal investigator during the three-year project.

"We are proactively embracing and participating in the evolving landscape around personal transportation through our work with world-class institutions at the forefront of this automotive revolution," said Howard Hayes, Allstate's senior vice president of product innovation. "We aim to learn about, and contribute to the algorithm research, software platforms and the datasets, tools and standards related to connected and autonomous vehicles."

Allstate has issued policies to approximately 16 million households for auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brands.