Federal safety regulators are taking a closer look at Ford’s hands-free driver assistance system, BlueCruise, following two fatal crashes involving the system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) confirmed that BlueCruise was active during both accidents, one in Texas in February and another in Pennsylvania in April. These crashes mark the first known fatalities associated with the use of BlueCruise.
The investigation puts additional pressure on Ford and its BlueCruise system, which is currently available on certain Ford models such as the Mustang Mach-E, F-150s (including the Lightning), Explorers, and Expeditions. The National Transportation Safety Board has already initiated an investigation into the Texas crash, and Ford has expressed its cooperation with the NHTSA’s probe.
Interestingly, this investigation comes shortly after the ODI concluded its high-profile investigation into Tesla’s Autopilot system. The agency had initially opened the probe due to multiple reports of Tesla vehicles colliding with stationary emergency vehicles while Autopilot was engaged. In its closing statement, the ODI highlighted a significant safety gap between drivers’ expectations of Autopilot’s capabilities and the system’s actual capabilities, leading to misuse and avoidable accidents.
Ford introduced BlueCruise in 2021, and it is currently limited to pre-mapped highways. Additionally, Ford pairs BlueCruise with a camera-based driver monitoring system that ensures the driver keeps their eyes on the road when the system is active. These constraints are more stringent compared to Tesla’s Autopilot. Despite receiving positive ratings from sources like Consumer Reports, the recent crashes and ensuing investigations suggest that there may be underlying issues with advanced driver assistance systems that companies like Ford and Tesla may not be willing to acknowledge fully.
It is crucial to prioritize safety when developing and implementing driver assistance technologies. As these investigations unfold, regulators and automakers must work together to address any potential flaws in these systems, ensuring that they meet the highest safety standards. By doing so, they can foster trust and confidence in the future of autonomous driving technology.
In response to the investigation, Ford has released a statement expressing its commitment to supporting the NHTSA’s investigation into BlueCruise. As the investigation progresses, it will be interesting to see how the findings will shape the future of driver assistance systems and influence regulations surrounding their use.
