If you own a 2021 F-150 or one of the 2021 Mustang Mach-E models equipped with the Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package, expect to get hands-free driving as an option later this year.
Ford has confirmed that an over-the-air update pushed to those vehicles will introduce its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. It follows development testing covering 500,000 miles with the technology, and what is known as the "Mother of All Road Trips," which involved 10 test vehicles covering over 110,000 miles through 37 states and five Canadian provinces.
The BlueCruise limited roll out is further limited by the fact you can only use it on prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones, of which there are currently only around 100,000 miles on North American roads. Even so, it's a big step forward in being able to legally drive without your hands on the wheel.
Ford ensures its vehicles always have an alert driver available to take control using a driver-facing camera embedded in the instrument cluster. It monitors the driver's eye gaze and head position to ensure they are still engaged (not having a nap or reading a book). Meanwhile, on the exterior of the vehicle a series of advanced cameras and radar-sensing tech combines to allow BlueCruise to drive the vehicle safely for you. Ford says it's very similar to Tesla's Autopilot system, 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."
BlueCruise will continue to be improved and enhanced. Ford is already planning to introduce "Lane Change Assist that will let the vehicle change lanes with just a tap of the turn signal indicator, and Predictive Speed Assist that will adjust vehicle speed for road curves, roundabouts and more."