With regulatory approval for use on the UK motorway network, Ford marked a major milestone a few days ago with the introduction of an advanced level 2 1, 2 hands-free driving assistance system – the first of its kind to be approved in Europe.

Drivers of 193,000 BlueCruise-equipped Ford and Lincoln vehicles have already driven more than 102 million hands-free kilometers in Canada and the US, where BlueCruise earned the Consumer Reports Top Rated Active Driving Assistance System distinction.

Now, the green light given by the UK Department for Transport for Ford BlueCruise 2, 3 technology means drivers of compatible Mustang Mach-E models can use the ‘hands-off, eyes-on’ driving technology for 3,700km .pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland and Wales, 4 designated as Blue Zones.

BlueCruise takes the comfort and convenience benefits of advanced driver assistance to the next level. The system monitors road markings, speed limit signs and evolving traffic conditions to control the vehicle’s steering, acceleration, braking and lane position, as well as to maintain safe and consistent distances from vehicles in front – up to and including complete immobilization in traffic jam conditions.

In addition, advanced technology with infrared cameras constantly monitors the driver’s attention and alertness levels for safety and reassurance.

“It’s not every day you can say you’re touching the future, but for Ford BlueCruise to become the first hands-free driving system of its kind to receive approval for use in a European country is a major step forward for our industry” , said Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e in Europe. “Modern motorways can be demanding even for highly confident drivers, but at the same time intimidating for many. BlueCruise can do the heavy lifting to make highway driving less of a chore and give drivers extra confidence and comfort.”

Owners of Ford Mustang Mach-E (MY 2023) 5 vehicles in Great Britain will be the first to be able to activate BlueCruise via subscription. 6 The first 90 days are included with the purchase of the vehicle, then a monthly subscription worth £17.99 gives the flexibility to cover extended trips and holidays and activate the advanced driver assistance system according to the intended use of the vehicle.

“Today marks an important moment for our industry as Ford BlueCruise becomes the first hands-free driving system of its kind to be approved for use in the UK,” said Lisa Brankin, managing director of Ford UK & Ireland. . “We’ve always strived to make technology accessible to our customers, and BlueCruise is the next step in that journey, making driving on the highway a more comfortable experience.”

Fine-tuned during testing around the world for over 1.1 million kilometers to deliver an intuitive experience that inspires confidence, BlueCruise is a milestone in Ford’s journey to establish itself as a leader in mobility solutions.

“It’s great news that Ford has chosen us to launch BlueCruise technology in Europe and I’m delighted that our country is once again at the forefront of innovation,” said Jesse Norman, UK Transport Secretary. “The latest advanced driver assistance systems make driving smoother and easier, but they can also help make the roads safer by reducing the driver’s margin for error.”

Ford expects BlueCruise to be activated in other European countries when regulatory conditions allow, and is expected to expand to other Ford vehicles in the coming years.

“Hands-off, eyes-on” driving

BlueCruise is based on Ford’s Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC), 2 which enables the vehicle to automatically follow the flow of traffic within legal speed limits until it comes to a complete stop. The hands-free function allows drivers in approved sections (Blue Zones) of the motorway to drive without their hands on the wheel, as long as they continue to watch the road ahead – thus improving comfort levels during long journeys.

Before switching to hands-free driving, vehicles with BlueCruise confirm that lane markings are visible, that the driver has his eyes on the road and that other conditions are suitable. The system uses animated text indicators and blue light signals to communicate that the system is in hands-free mode, which proves effective even for those who are color blind.

Operating at a top speed of 130 km/h, BlueCruise uses a combination of radar and cameras to detect and monitor the position and speed of other vehicles on the road. A forward-facing camera detects lane markings and speed limit signs. Crucially, the system also uses a driver-facing infrared camera located under the instrument panel to monitor the driver’s gaze and head position – even when wearing sunglasses – to ensure that attention is he remains focused on the road.

If the system detects driver inattention, warning messages are first displayed on the instrument panel, followed by audible alerts, applying the brakes and finally slowing the vehicle while maintaining steering control. Similar actions are taken if the driver does not put his hands back on the steering wheel when asked to when exiting a Blue Zone.

Ford is also working with regulators and exploring opportunities to provide BlueCruise through a future Ford Power-Up software update on Mustang Mach-E models equipped with the optional Tech Pack or Tech Pack + and built before 2023.

The Mother of All Road Trips

Ford engineers conducted 100,000 miles of testing on European roads to validate the latest generation of advanced driver assistance systems, including BlueCruise and the features that support it, plus 600,000+ miles in the US and Canada before the system was launched in those markets last year. Validation runs in Great Britain helped demonstrate handling in conditions and circumstances that drivers face every day, such as worn lane markings, bad weather and roadworks.

“There’s a reason Ford BlueCruise is the first hands-free driving system of its kind to be approved for use in a European country: We’ve proven it can support the driver while still requiring the driver’s eyes to be on the road for safety his and his passengers while the system is active. This means that BlueCruise can help make the journeys of other road users more comfortable as well,” said Torsten Wey, chief engineer, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Ford of Europe.

BlueCruise is the latest addition to the Mustang Mach-E’s suite of technologies that also includes Pre Collision Assist, 2 Active Park Assist 2.0 2 and Ford’s 7A SYNC 4A connectivity system supported by a 15.5-inch touchscreen.

In addition, Ford Power-Up software updates can use the connectivity provided by FordPass Connect 8 to continuously improve the vehicle and add new features without the driver even leaving home.

Offering up to 600 kilometers of electric range 9 between charges and supported by Ford’s BlueOval Network charging network – Europe’s largest, with more than 450,000 chargers and growing – the Mustang Mach-E is one of nine all-electric vehicles that Ford plans to offer in Europe by 2024. Ford plans to achieve zero emissions for all vehicle sales and carbon neutrality across its European facilities, logistics and supplier footprint by 2035.

For more information visit: https://www.ford.co.uk/technology/driving-assistance/ford-bluecruise & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dotX0NIXSW