After 500,000 miles of testing, Ford [F] plans to offer its new BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system to customers later this year. The Tesla Autopilot competitor, which will be a SAE Level 2 driver-assist technology, will be have over-the-air software updates and will be offered on 2021 F-150 and 2021 Mustang Mach-E models.
Ford plans to sell more than 100,000 vehicles equipped with BlueCruise in the first year, based on company sales and take-rate projections.
Currently, more than 100,000 miles of highways across North America are dedicated “Hands-Free Blue Zones” in the Ford GPS mapping system, the company said. In addition to the full hands-free mode, equipped vehicles will also feature Lane Centering mode, Ford said.
Currently, more than 100,000 miles of highways across North America are dedicated “Hands-Free Blue Zones” in the Ford GPS mapping system, the company said. In addition to the full hands-free mode, equipped vehicles will also feature Lane Centering mode, Ford said.
Ford said BlueCruise is similar to Tesla Autopilot, but with the advantage of offering a “true hands-free driving experience” while in Hands-Free Mode that does not require a driver’s hands to stay in contact with the steering wheel, unless prompted by vehicle alerts.
Key Takeway:
🤞 With all of the flap going on about the Tesla Autopilot, and potential regulation coming, Ford has to make this product driver-proof…but is that possible?
