Table Of Content
- This is Tesla’s riveting fix for recalled Cybertruck accelerator pedals
- Uber’s safety tools are now customizable and easier to access
- Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver assist under investigation after two fatal crashes
- Tesla leans harder into discounts, slashing Full Self-Driving price after cuts to EVs in China, Europe, and the U.S.
- Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise comes under scrutiny after fatal crash
But while drivers can take their hands off the steering wheel and their feet off the pedals, they need to keep their eyes on the road and be ready to take control at a moment’s notice. Ford said that BlueCruise-equipped vehicles have already traveled over 100 million miles. When it comes to long-distance driving, Ford's system covers most major highways to the point where it likely won't be a problem if you're going across the country. If coverage is a deal-breaker and you don't mind stopping to take in the sights and fill up on electrons at a charging station, then Tesla's Autopilot might be the driver assistance package for you. At least on paper, Tesla's system touts much of the same abilities as Ford BlueCruise, meaning it can steer, slow down, and speed up by itself within a lane. Tesla takes great pride in its cameras that (theoretically) allow Tesla Autopilot to be used on more roads than Ford's system, not just major highways.
This is Tesla’s riveting fix for recalled Cybertruck accelerator pedals
There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Unlike Autopilot, BlueCruise can only be activated in approved "Blue Zones," which encompass some 100,000 miles of US and Canadian highways. It's the same approach General Motors is taking with its hands-free offering, Super Cruise. Exoes, a French-based startup that developed battery cooling technology for EVs, raised €35 million ($37.5 million) from BpiFrance and Meridiam Green Impact Growth Fund.
Uber’s safety tools are now customizable and easier to access
The difference in mapped miles is significant as well, since, unlike Tesla, Ford and GM will not let their systems engage unless it's part of the mapped database limited to divided highways such as interstates and state highways. GM claims more than 200,000 miles of mapped highways for hands-free driving in U.S. and Canada, and Ford claims to have 130,000 miles. Both automakers say the availability expands with more mapped highways via frequent over-the-air updates. Both systems use forward-facing cameras as well as navigation info pulled from the GPS and a map database that gets updated routinely (GM says about 7-8 times a year). First launched in 2017, Super Cruise has a significant advantage in tech development.
Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver assist under investigation after two fatal crashes
Ford Makes BlueCruise Hardware Standard - Autoweek
Ford Makes BlueCruise Hardware Standard.
Posted: Wed, 16 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
This is excellent, because you wouldn't want people to think they can go hands-free when they can't, or vice versa. Ford invited me to try out BlueCruise on a highway near its Dearborn, Michigan homebase in September. During my roughly 20 minute drive, I got a firsthand look at how easy the system is to use and how well it performs.
Tesla leans harder into discounts, slashing Full Self-Driving price after cuts to EVs in China, Europe, and the U.S.
Lyft and Uber said they will pause on their planned exit from Minneapolis after city officials decided to delay the start of a driver pay raise by a couple of months. HysetCo SAS, a startup that rents hydrogen-powered EVs to taxi drivers in Paris, raised nearly €200 million ($218 million) in a round led by Hy24. A police spokeswoman said a person from the Hyundai also was on the roadway and was hit. The Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday that a Mach E was in the left lane when it struck a stationary Hyundai Elantra that earlier had collided with a Toyota Prius. The NTSB can only make recommendations, but NHTSA has the authority to take action including seeking recalls for safety issues. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks.
Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise comes under scrutiny after fatal crash
Surveys show that many people have difficulty distinguishing between ADAS and fully automated driving systems, which can lead to overconfidence in the technology. And there is compelling evidence that most driver-assist systems are less safe than normal human driving. Drivers tend to develop an overreliance on these systems even after a short period of use. And when it’s time to take back control of the vehicle, their reaction times are slower than what’s considered safe. Both NHTSA and the NTSB have investigated multiple previous crashes involving partially automated driving systems, most involving Tesla’s Autopilot. Ford’s Blue Cruise system allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while it handles steering, braking and acceleration on highways.
NTSB looking at Ford BlueCruise system following fatal accident - TESLARATI
NTSB looking at Ford BlueCruise system following fatal accident.
Posted: Mon, 18 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
It's possible to travel hours in a GM vehicle with Super Cruise activated without needing to intervene, or just by tapping the wheel. To engage the system, press the cruise control button on the steering wheel. A gray steering wheel icon in the center of the instrument cluster or at the top of it will turn green when its in Super Cruise territory. The lightbar in the steering wheel activates from nothingness to green.
Driver of electric Ford SUV was using automated system before fatal Texas crash, investigators say
An individual Tesla likely isn't going to go haywire while in autopilot mode. Still, given the sheer number of safety investigations into the brand and its supposed autonomous driving technology, it's tough to make an honest recommendation. Both are Level 2 autonomous driving systems, as described by the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) International. That means that both systems require constant input from the driver, and do not allow for total hands-free driving for the duration of the trip, and are, by nature, very limited in scope and ability. That said, each system has the potential to offload some of the more tedious or monotonous driving tasks to the car itself and allow the driver to experience at least a bit of assurance behind the wheel.
Tesla has also been in the game longer, and as Autopilot capabilities improve, they will continue to be upgraded by over-the-air software updates. While GM’s Super Cruise is usable in more places, the BlueCruise is considered one of the best available, and the crash is notable because it is the first to involve a hands-free driving assist available to the public. Also, Ford offers other passive safety features, such as Co-Pilot360 with forward collision warning and emergency brake and steering assist to avoid obstacles, so this news potentially points to failures in those systems as well.
This is the first investigation into Ford’s ADAS, which has been available since 2021. Currently, BlueCruise 1.3 is the latest version, and the system includes adaptive cruise control, lane change assist, and the ability to reposition the car inside the lane if it strays outside the lines. According to Ford, BlueCruise works on 97% of the highways in the United States and allows for somewhat hands-free driving on a large portion of highways. Although judging by Ford's coverage map, you will need to take control of the vehicle on nearly every road that isn't a major highway. And for safety's sake, you should never have your hands off the wheel for any extended period of time whatsoever.
The settlement may have provided a blueprint for others suing over Autopilot. A company spokesperson would not comment on the NTSB report on Thursday, deferring to a previous statement saying that Ford is cooperating in the investigations. Data from the 2022 Mustang Mach E SUV showed that Ford’s “Blue Cruise” driver-assist system was in use ahead of the 24 February crash, according to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Within the infotainment center, the driver can choose either “manual” or “automatic” lane change options. When the automatic feature is selected and the ADAS is on, the vehicle will make automatic lane changes without driver input. As the car approached slower traffic, an arrow appeared on the instrument cluster (see photo), the system turned my indicator on and then made the lane change. This can be overridden by holding the steering wheel and keeping it in the lane. On the other hand, Tesla Autopilot is significantly more controversial than Ford's option. And given Elon Musk and Tesla's tendency to over-promise, it's best to pay extra attention.
In both cases, the Mach Es hit vehicles stopped on freeways at night, and neither the driver nor the system were able to prevent the collisions. Ford says on its website that its driving systems do not replace human drivers, who have to be ready to take control at any time. While the Honda driver died, the Mustang driver sustained minor injuries, and police found no signs of intoxication. According to the NTSB report, a witness who had been traveling in the center lane in front of the Mach-E reported that she saw the Honda in the center lane and that the car had no tail or hazard lights illuminated. After changing lanes to avoid hitting the car, she then saw another vehicle crash into the Honda. The NTSB released a preliminary report on its investigation, with the final report likely to be published in a year or two.
The system also includes Smart Summon features that Ford does not have. As far as a road trip is concerned, you don't have to worry about the system's compatibility with the road you are driving on. And given the fact Teslas are electric, the onboard system is able to automatically guide you towards any Tesla Superchargers during the drive, a feature that's particularly helpful in unfamiliar areas.
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