Ford Brings Hands-Free Driving Tech to Motorways in UK

Mark Bursa

The UK has taken a major step toward allowing self-driving cars on to Britain’s roads by approving Ford’s hands-free technology for motorway use.

Ford is the first automaker to introduce “handsoff, eyes-on” advanced driver assistance technology for use on pre-mapped motorways.

Drivers of 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles can activate a subscription to Ford’s BlueCruise system, that will allow them to use their cars handsfree on 2,300 miles of UK motorways.

The system has been extensively trialled in the US and Canada, with 193,000 cars covering 64 million hands-free miles since the system was launched last year.

BlueCrusie is a Level 2 hands-free advanced driver assistance system. It has become the first such system to attain regulatory approval for use on the motorway network in Great Britain, and is the first system of its kind approved in Europe.

The BlueCruise system monitors road markings, speed signs and evolving traffic conditions to control steering, acceleration, braking and lane positioning, as well as to maintain safe and consistent distances to vehicles ahead – right down to a complete halt in traffic jams.

In addition, sophisticated infra-red camera technology continually checks driver attentiveness for safety and confidence. It is this ability to monitor the driver’s awareness that has given the UK government the confidence to approve the system.

“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,” said Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e, Europe.

“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.”

Owners of model year 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles in Great Britain are the first to be able to activate BlueCruise via subscription. The first 90 days are included with the vehicle purchase and, thereafter, a £17.99 monthly subscription provides the flexibility to cover extended road trips and holidays, and enable the advanced driver assistance system around anticipated vehicle use.

Lisa Brankin, managing director, Ford UK & Ireland, said: “We have always strived to make technology accessible for our customers, and BlueCruise is this next step on this journey, making motorway driving a more comfortable experience.”

Jesse Norman, UK Transport Minister, welcomed the decision, saying: “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.”

Ford expects BlueCruise to be activated in further European countries as and when regulatory conditions permit, and will roll out the system to further Ford vehicles in the coming years.