Drivers of Ford vehicles will legally be able to take their hands off the wheel on some UK motorways, after the company’s BlueCruise technology was approved by the Government.
The “hands-off, eyes-on” technology, level two on the automation scale, monitors road markings, speed signs and traffic conditions to control steering, acceleration, braking and lane positioning.
It is also designed to maintain ‘safe and consistent’ distances to vehicles ahead – right down to a complete halt in traffic jams.
The technology features a sophisticated infrared camera which continually checks driver attentiveness for safety and confidence.
Drivers of BlueCruise-fitted vehicles will be able to activate the technology on 2,300 miles of motorways in England, Scotland and Wales, designated as Blue Zones.
The UK is the first European country to approve the system.
Jesse Norman, transport minister, said: “It is great news that Ford has chosen us for the European launch of its BlueCruise technology, and I am delighted that this country is once more at the forefront of innovation.
“The latest advanced driver assistance systems make driving smoother and easier, but they can also help make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error.”
Drivers of 193,000 BlueCruise-equipped Ford and Lincoln vehicles have already driven more than 64 million hands-free miles in Canada and the US.
Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e, Europe, said: “It’s not every day that you can say you’ve placed one foot in the future, but Ford BlueCruise becoming the first hands-free driving system of its kind to receive approval for use in a European country is a significant step forward for our industry.
“Modern highways can be demanding even for the most confident drivers, and intimidating for many. BlueCruise can do some of the ‘heavy lifting’, to make highway driving less of a chore, and give drivers that little extra confidence and convenience.”
There are six levels of autonomous driving, ranging from very little automation to full automation, where no assistance is needed from a human driver at all.
Level two is described as ‘partial automation’, where two or more aspects of driving are controlled by technology, such as speed regulation and parking done by the car itself.
I’m more than happy to drive for myself and actually enjoy driving our motorways. How many Fords on the road have BlueCruise here in the UK – 3, 4?
Lyn Hill, Lewes
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