Ford achieves homologation for its Level 2 autonomous driving system in Great Britain

As we move deeper into the world of electric vehicles, manufacturers continue to develop other technologies. In fact, in recent years we have seen our vehicles fitted with a multitude of radars and cameras that perform various functions, whether for parking manoeuvres or for driving. It is precisely in this last area that brands are in constant development, which will allow us in the future to have vehicles that will drive autonomously.

Ford, like the vast majority of brands, is also developing this type of technology through its BlueCruise system, with which it has already achieved Level 2 hands-free autonomous driving. In this regard, there are already 193,000 drivers of Ford and Lincoln, both in the United States and Canada, who have covered more than 102 million kilometres with the BlueCruise system, which, incidentally, has the best rating as an Active Driving Assistance System according to Consumer Reports.

Now Ford has achieved a new milestone, this time in Europe, as they have obtained approval for their BlueCruise system from the UK Department for Transport, which means that owners of the Mustang Mach-E equipped with the BlueCruise system will be able to enjoy the 3,700 kilometres of pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland and Wales, which are designated as “Blue Zones”.

How the BlueCruise system works

The BlueCruise system operates through the capabilities of the Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, being able to adapt to the pace of traffic and respect legal speed limits, even coming to a complete stop. The additional level of comfort is that drivers can drive without their hands on the steering wheel, only needing to pay attention to the road, once we have entered one of the sections approved as a Blue Zone.

To do so, the BlueCruise system identifies the road and proceeds to activate Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, although before activating hands-free driving the system also checks that the lane markings are visible and that the driver keeps their eyes on the road, among other conditions. Once this is confirmed, the system displays a series of blue light signals and animations on the instrument cluster to show that the system is active. If the system detects a lack of attention from the driver, it issues warning messages on the instrument cluster, followed by audible signals, the activation of the brakes and, finally, a gradual slowing of the vehicle while maintaining control of the steering. This process is also carried out if the driver does not return their hands to the steering wheel when requested upon leaving a Blue Zone.

The BlueCruise system of Ford can be used without exceeding 130 km/h and uses five radars, which detect and track both the position and speed of other vehicles. It also uses a camera at the front focused on detecting lane markings and speed signs, together with an infrared camera located below the instrument cluster and aimed at the driver, which monitors gaze, even through sunglasses, and head position, ensuring at all times that attention is kept on the road.

With the purchase of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, 90 days free of BlueCruise are included, after which there is a monthly fee of £17.99, so each owner will need to weigh up whether they make enough journeys for it to be worth paying for this autonomous driving service.

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