Blue Cruise is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) that offers hands-free driving on select highways. It combines adaptive cruise control, lane centering technology, and advanced mapping to provide a seamless driving experience.
So, what vehicles will have Blue Cruise? Let’s take a closer look.
General Motors
General Motors (GM) was the first automaker to offer Blue Cruise on its Cadillac CT6 model in 2017. However, the feature was limited to certain highways and required drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel.
In 2021, GM expanded its offering of Blue Cruise to other models, including the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra. The new version of Blue Cruise offers true hands-free driving on more than 200,000 miles of pre-mapped highways in North America.
Ford
Ford is also getting into the game with its own version of Blue Cruise called Active Drive Assist. It will be available on select models of the Ford F-150 and Mustang Mach-E starting in late 2021. Like GM’s system, it will only work on pre-mapped highways and require drivers to keep their hands on the wheel.
Tesla
Tesla has been offering Autopilot for several years now, which is similar to Blue Cruise but not as advanced. However, CEO Elon Musk has hinted that a more advanced system called Full Self-Driving (FSD) could be available soon.
FSD would allow Tesla vehicles to operate without any human input at all in certain situations. However, regulatory approval is still pending for this feature.
Other Automakers
Other automakers are also developing their own ADAS systems that could eventually compete with Blue Cruise and Autopilot. For example:
- BMW has a system called Driving Assistant Professional that offers similar features.
- Mercedes-Benz has a system called Drive Pilot that is currently being tested on public roads in Germany.
- Volvo has a system called Pilot Assist that combines adaptive cruise control and lane centering technology.
The Future of Blue Cruise
As ADAS technology continues to evolve, we can expect more automakers to offer hands-free driving features like Blue Cruise. However, regulatory approval and infrastructure development will be key factors in determining how quickly these systems become widespread.
In the meantime, drivers should always remember to stay alert and keep their hands on the wheel, even when using advanced ADAS technology. These systems are designed to assist drivers, not replace them entirely.