Although fully self-driving cars are still prohibited on public roads, except for government-approved trials, the UK has become the first European country to approve a hands-free system, allowing drivers on motorways to remove their hands from the steering wheel for the first time.
Ford has announced that its BlueCruise self-driving technology has received government clearance for use, and owners of the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, will be the first to be able to use the new system, BlueCruise, for a monthly fee.
When driving in hands-free mode, the car is capable of controlling functions such as steering, acceleration, braking, and lane positioning on the majority of motorways across the UK using its five radars to track other vehicles’ position and speed and a forward-facing camera to detect lane markings and speed signs.
The introduction of the system comes after Ford engineers completed 100,000 miles of test drives on European roads to evaluate their latest assistance systems, including BlueCruise.
The testing in Britain was conducted on routes that presented obstacles such as weather problems, worn-out lane markings, and roadworks.
Although drivers can release their hands from the steering wheel, infrared cameras monitor their attention on the road in case human intervention is necessary.
Should the system detects a lack of attention from the driver, warning messages will appear on the dashboard, followed by audible alerts and automatic deceleration of the vehicle.
Jesse Norman, Minister of State for Transport, expressed his delight at Ford’s selection of Great Britain for the European launch of BlueCruise technology, adding that it demonstrates the nation’s ongoing commitment to innovation saying, “It is great news that Ford has chosen Great Britain for the European launch of their 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 make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error.”
Ford plans to extend BlueCruise to more of its vehicles in the coming years, following its launch in the US and Canada last year.
Lisa Brankin, Ford’s managing director for the UK and Ireland, said: “Today marks a significant moment for our industry as Ford BlueCruise becomes the first hands-free driving system of its kind to receive approval for use in Great Britain.
“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.”
The Ford Mustang Mach-E starts at £50,830, and users can enjoy BlueCruise for the first 90 days for free. After the trial period, users will be charged the monthly subscription fee of £17.99.
