Ford will be rolling out a major update to its BlueCruise advanced driver-assist system, as reported by The Verge. The update will now include a hands-free lane changing and other new features.
BlueCruise was launched in 2021 with the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Since then, it has rolled out to 75,000 Ford and Lincoln owners.
Now, the BlueCruise 1.2 will arrive this fall and will be added to the 2023 Mustang Mach-E before it is added to other models. The updates will include three new features-lane change assist, predictive speed assist, and in-lane repositioning.
Lane Change Assist
The new feature, lane change assist, will conduct a lane change automatically as requested by the driver when he taps the turn signal. The driver can even suggest a lane change if the car appears to be in slow-moving traffic.
Predictive Speed
Now, the predictive assist will adjust the speed automatically the moment drivers approach. sharp curve. It will signal the driver ahead of time when a speed change is about to take place.
In-Lane Repositioning
Finally, the in-lane repositioning will keep the car in its lane while it subtly shifts its position away from adjacent vehicles, especially the bigger ones.
These new features shows Ford's efforts to continuously deliver safety to its customers.
However, even with these new features, the automaker is still a bit behind. These features have already been added by other auto companies. For one, the automatic lane changing was added to Tesla in 2019, while General Motors included that feature to their Super Cruise in 2021. In fact, just last year, General Motors filed a lawsuit against Ford because the name BlueCruise was too close to Super Cruise. Currently, the two companies are working out on a settlement.
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The BlueCruise
Wait, what's the BlueCruise? If you don't know yet, it is a level 2 system that works in sync with a number of distinct features, such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more. However, it's essential to remember that these features don't make the vehicle autonomous. Drivers behind the wheel of a vehicle with these features should stay vigilant and have their eyes always on the road.
Another thing to remember with BlueCruise is that it is only activated on prequalified divided highways. Ford is still improving their maps with over-the-air updates where BlueCruise can be used.
These maps give the vehicle communications their location while they are driving. Most of the time, these maps are preloaded so the vehicles can interact with them. However, Ford's maps are growing because more BlueCruise-equipped vehicles are being sold. In the end, Ford is still keeping up with other automakers.
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Written by: April Fowell
