If you’re a fan of Ford’s advanced driver-assist technology, you may be wondering about the latest addition to their suite of features: Blue Cruise. This highly anticipated hands-free driving system has been in the works for some time now, and many drivers are eager to know when they can finally get their hands on it.
So, is Ford Blue Cruise available yet? Let’s dive into the details.
What is Ford Blue Cruise?
First things first: what exactly is Blue Cruise? In short, it’s Ford’s answer to Tesla’s Autopilot and GM’s Super Cruise.
It’s an advanced driver-assist system that allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel and their feet off the pedals while driving on select highways. The system uses cameras, sensors, and mapping data to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
When Will Blue Cruise Be Available?
Now for the big question: when can you get your hands on Blue Cruise? According to Ford’s website, the system will be available on select 2021 F-150 and Mustang Mach-E models equipped with the Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package. However, even if you have one of these vehicles, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to use Blue Cruise right away.
Ford is rolling out Blue Cruise in two phases. The first phase began in Q3 of 2021 and includes over 100,000 miles of pre-mapped highways across North America. These highways have been carefully selected based on factors like traffic flow, road quality, and lane markings to ensure that they’re well-suited for hands-free driving.
The second phase will begin in Q4 of 2021 and will expand the availability of Blue Cruise to even more highways across North America. By then, Ford expects that over 100,000 miles of highways will be covered by Blue Cruise.
How Much Will Blue Cruise Cost?
If you’re interested in adding Blue Cruise to your Ford vehicle, you’ll need to be prepared to pay for it. The system is available as part of the Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package, which also includes other advanced driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control and lane centering. According to Ford’s website, this package costs $995 on the F-150 and $3,200 on the Mustang Mach-E.
Is Blue Cruise Safe?
Of course, one of the most important questions when it comes to any hands-free driving system is: is it safe? Ford has gone to great lengths to ensure that Blue Cruise is as safe as possible.
The system uses a driver-facing camera to make sure that the driver is paying attention and can take control of the vehicle if necessary. Additionally, if the system detects that the driver is not paying attention or if there’s a problem with any of the sensors or cameras, it will alert the driver and bring the vehicle to a stop.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, while Blue Cruise isn’t yet widely available, it’s definitely on its way. If you’re in the market for a new Ford F-150 or Mustang Mach-E and want to add this advanced driver-assist system to your vehicle, be sure to check whether your model comes with the Co-Pilot360 Active 2. And if you do end up using Blue Cruise on one of its approved highways, remember that safety should always come first – even when your car is doing most of the driving for you!