- What is Ford BlueCruise
- How does it work?
- What are the benefits?
- What are the limitations?
- The future of Ford BlueCruise
- Ford’s commitment to safety
Imagine a world where driving and safety are a top priority, but with the help of robots?! Self-driving cars and autonomous technology are slowly being integrated into our everyday driving, and they’ve come a long way since it all began. One technology that has taken the world by storm is Ford BlueCruise.
So, how does Ford BlueCruise work, what exactly is it, and could it be the future of driving assistance?
What is Ford BlueCruise?
Ford BlueCruise is an innovative hands-free driving technology that allows Ford Mustang Mach-e drivers to take their hands off the wheel on certain pre-mapped motorways, also known as “Blue Zones”.
Ford Blue Zones cover over 95% of the UK’s motorways today.
This cutting-edge technology makes driving safer and more convenient by taking care of steering, acceleration, and braking.
Once we understood exactly what Ford BlueCruise was, we took to our YouTube following and asked the question:
Let’s see how many said yes…
Only 29% said they would use Ford’s hands-free driving assistance on motorways.
That leaves 71% of sceptical motorists who would not use the BlueCruise.
Are they right to be concerned? Or are all these eyebrows being raised for no reason at all?
How does it work?
Ford BlueCruise utilises a combination of advanced sensors and cameras to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings.
The sensors and cameras work together to identify road markings, lane lines, and other vehicles, allowing the Mustang Mach-e to stay in its lane and maintain a safe distance from other cars.
To ensure Mustang Mach-e drivers are paying attention to the road ahead, an infrared camera monitors the driver’s eye gaze and head position.
If the driver isn’t paying attention and looking ahead, either an alert message is displayed on the dashboard, or an audible chime will be heard reminding the driver to return their eyes to the road.
If the driver ignores the warnings, the Ford BlueCruise system will cancel and slowly reduce the speed of the Mustang Mach-e while maintaining steering control.
What are the benefits?
One of the main benefits of Ford BlueCruise is increased safety. By taking over the driving responsibilities, the system can help prevent accidents caused by distracted or fatigued drivers.
Additionally, the system can react faster than a human driver in emergency situations, potentially avoiding accidents altogether.
Another benefit of Ford BlueCruise is reduced driver fatigue. Long drives can be tiring, and constantly having to focus on the road can make it even more exhausting.
With Ford’s hands-free technology, Ford Mustang Mach-e drivers can relax and let the system do the work, making long drives more comfortable and less taxing.
What are the limitations?
While Ford’s hands-free feature is an impressive technology, it does have some limitations.
The system may not perform as well in certain weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow.
Additionally, certain road conditions, such as construction zones or narrow roads, may require the driver to take over control of the vehicle.
Drivers should remember that when using Ford’s hands-free technology, they need to be alert and ready to take over if necessary.
The system is designed to assist the driver, but it’s not a substitute for safe driving.
The future of Ford BlueCruise
So, what does the future of Ford and its new feature BlueCruise hold? As the brand’s technology continues to grow and develop, it’s likely we’ll see even more advanced driving systems in the years to come.
In the case of Ford’s hands-free technology, there’s already talk of expanding the technology to more vehicles beyond the current Ford Mustang Mach-E.
Additionally, there’s potential for advancements in the technology itself. For example, future iterations of Ford BlueCruise may be able to handle even more complex driving scenarios, such as navigating city streets or making turns at intersections.
Ford’s commitment to safety
At the end of the day, Ford’s primary goal with BlueCruise, the Mustang Mach-e and all their vehicles is to keep drivers and passengers safe.
Ford’s commitment to safety is clear. With existing safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking – we can trust the brand is dedicated to developing driving assistance technology.
Conclusion
Ford BlueCruise is a game-changer in automotive technology that has the potential to revolutionise the way we drive. Ford’s hands-free technology can increase safety, reduce driver fatigue, and improve convenience.
While there are some limitations, it’s clear that Ford is committed to advancing the technology and improving the driving experience for everyone.
If you’re considering purchasing a Ford vehicle with BlueCruise, it’s important to understand the technology and its limitations. Yes, the system is designed to assist the driver, however, it should not become a replacement for safe driving. The driver should always be prepared to take over control of the vehicle.
However, for long motorway drives, Ford BlueCruise can be a valuable tool that can increase safety and reduce driver fatigue. The hands-free driving capability can also be a welcome convenience for many drivers.
As Ford continues to refine and improve BlueCruise, we can expect even more impressive capabilities in the future.
What are your thoughts on Ford BlueCruise? Would you try it out?
