Ford BlueCruise hands-free driving tech gets Europe nod

Tech offered in new Mustang Mach-E

Ford has received approval from the European Commission to expand its BlueCruise hands-free driving technology across 15 European countries. The groundbreaking move grants Ford Mustang Mach-E owners access to more than 133,000km of designated highways, known as Blue Zones, enhancing the driving experience across the continent.

Effective immediately, BlueCruise is now available for new Mustang Mach-E vehicles purchased in the 15 European countries, significantly extending the reach of Ford’s advanced driver assistance system.

This expansion follows previous introductions in Germany, Great Britain, and Spain, where BlueCruise first became a pioneering technology in hands-free highway driving.

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The BlueCruise system, which operates as a Level 2 advanced driver assistance system, allows for ‘hands-off, eyes-on’ driving.

It controls essential driving functions such as steering, acceleration, braking, and lane positioning while ensuring safe distances from other vehicles.

Drivers must remain attentive to the road and keep their eyes on the traffic ahead, as a driver-facing camera continuously monitors their gaze and head position, even through sunglasses.

The European rollout includes the original markets and extends to three additional countries, bringing the total number of countries where BlueCruise is available to 20 globally.

Software update

Ford is also offering a future software update in select regions for existing Mustang Mach-E owners, enabling them to activate BlueCruise on their vehicles.

Ashley Lambrix, BlueCruise General Manager at Ford Motor Company, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating: “We believe BlueCruise can make highway driving easier and more enjoyable whether you are in stop-and-go traffic or on a long road trip, and with this recent ruling it will allow us to offer even more customers access to BlueCruise across Europe.

Expanding the availability of Blue Zones beyond Great Britain, Germany, and Spain is also a huge milestone for us, allowing customers to use BlueCruise for a multi-country road trip.”

The approval signifies BlueCruise as Europe’s most widely available Level 2 hands-free system.

For instance, a driver can now experience a seamless journey from Sweden to Italy, spanning 3,000km and over 25 hours of hands-free driving. This extensive network of Blue Zones supports a more flexible and enjoyable driving experience, particularly on long-distance trips.

Ford provides a 90-day free trial for new Mustang Mach-E owners to allow customers to experience BlueCruise fully. After the trial period, users can opt for an annual or monthly subscription, with the flexibility to activate, cancel, or renew at their convenience.

Globally, over 420,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles are equipped with BlueCruise technology. These vehicles have collectively driven over 342 million hands-free kilometres, equating to over 3.1 million hours of driving time.

This expansion underscores Ford’s commitment to advancing automotive technology and enhancing the driving experience. As BlueCruise continues to evolve, it promises to offer drivers across Europe greater convenience and a glimpse into the future of hands-free driving.

Featured image: The BlueCruise system, which operates as a Level 2 advanced driver assistance system, allows for ‘hands-off, eyes-on’ driving. Credit: Ford