Ford Tests BlueCruise Hands-Free Driving in “Mother of All Road Trips” Ahead of Mach-E OTA Software Update

[stmache]

No zoomable map, but I see a blue line running southeast out of Buffalo toward Pennsylvania and then ending, not in the direction of any interstate. This can only be US-219, an expressway.

I am thinking an interactive map will be released closer to/at the time the software is to be delivered.

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[Raymondjram]

from Motortrend.com
“A driver-facing camera, meanwhile, keeps an eye on the driver's gaze—even when the driver is wearing sunglasses—and hand position to make sure the individual behind the wheel is ready to take back control of the vehicle if necessary”

hopefully it allow us to put our arm on the arm rest. From the video, it seems like your hand has to be on the lap.

Has anyone at Ford tried to fool the system with a másk?

 

[Raymondjram]

GM - Super Cruise
Ford - Blue Cruise
Stellantis - ??

I'm super excited for it though. I was a little afraid that it becomes another 'coming soon' joke we saw from Tesla on FSD. I hope you folks get it soon and it works great.

Star Cruise!

 

[buffasnow]

Has anyone at Ford tried to fool the system with a másk?

 

[mixduptransistor]

Yeah, fair point. But.... it’s kinda also a fair point that maybe we oughta be a little concerned that the same company that produced the shitty FordPass (and Ford.com, and let’s not forget all the bugs with the MME software) is producing this highway mapping. Ford hasn’t proven to be exactly careful or nimble with any of its software development.

Well the other part that is missing is that this is level 2 autonomy, which requires the driver of the vehicle (which is still the human being sitting in the front left seat) be prepared to take control at any moment. Being able to take your hands off the wheel doesn't mean you get to use them to eat a four course meal in your lap, or play video games, or put together a Lego set or a puzzle. Your hands must be close by and prepared to grab the wheel immediately

 

[Mirak]

Well the other part that is missing is that this is level 2 autonomy, which requires the driver of the vehicle (which is still the human being sitting in the front left seat) be prepared to take control at any moment. Being able to take your hands off the wheel doesn't mean you get to use them to eat a four course meal in your lap, or play video games, or put together a Lego set or a puzzle. Your hands must be close by and prepared to grab the wheel immediately

Oh most definitely. I’m not concerned that bugs will prevent me from being inattentive. I would never trust it completely.

My concern is that FordPass-style bugginess will just make the whole experience a bigger nuisance than it’s worth. The system constantly cancelling, or failing to enable, or nagging you to keep your eyes on the road when your eyes are on the road, or “hey why does x feature not work when I’ve got BlueCruise engaged?” type crap.

The MME is mechanically nearly perfect but the software environment both in and around the vehicle has left a LOT to be desired so far.

 

[jhalkias]

Oh most definitely. I’m not concerned that bugs will prevent me from being inattentive. I would never trust it completely.

My concern is that FordPass-style bugginess will just make the whole experience a bigger nuisance than it’s worth. The system constantly cancelling, or failing to enable, or nagging you to keep your eyes on the road when your eyes are on the road, or “hey why does x feature not work when I’ve got BlueCruise engaged?” type crap.

The MME is mechanically nearly perfect but the software environment both in and around the vehicle has left a LOT to be desired so far.

Sounds like you should pass on Blue Cruise.

We'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Oh most definitely. I’m not concerned that bugs will prevent me from being inattentive. I would never trust it completely.

My concern is that FordPass-style bugginess will just make the whole experience a bigger nuisance than it’s worth. The system constantly cancelling, or failing to enable, or nagging you to keep your eyes on the road when your eyes are on the road, or “hey why does x feature not work when I’ve got BlueCruise engaged?” type crap.

The MME is mechanically nearly perfect but the software environment both in and around the vehicle has left a LOT to be desired so far.

There is quite literally no requirement that any of us use the highest degree of automation available.

You are allowed to do the following on the Mach-e:

Turn off
BlueCruise
Intelligent Cruise Control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Cruise Control
Lane Keeping
Lane Centering
Auto Wipers
1 Pedal Driving
Reverse Braking Assist
Hill Start Assist
Auto Hold
Speed Sign Recognition
Pre-Collision Assist
Blind Spot Information System
Cross-Traffic Alert

On the other hand, you are required to do the following on the Mach-e:

Turn on
Nothing except the car. (It has a start button).


If you are not comfortable with any particular feature (or just don't feel like using it), for any or no reason whatsoever, turn it off. We all know how to drive, drive your mach-e in the manner you're most comfortable with. If you're comfortable with BlueCruise on a divided highway, go for it.


Otherwise, just drive!

 

[Mirak]

You’re right, I don’t need to buy BlueCruise. And I won’t be plopping down a likely non-refundable $600 until some of you test it out for me.

But I’d like for it work great! So I hope the bugginess we’ve experienced in the rest of the MME’s software environment isn’t evident here. That’s all I’m saying, and I’m not sure why that is controversial or deserving of some rather patronizing responses above.

Also, many of the bugs we have experienced have nothing to do with “optional” features but are instead inherent in the overall driving / charging experience. So to respond with “hey if you don’t like bugs just turn off x” is a tad glib.

 

[timbop]

You’re right, I don’t need to buy BlueCruise. And I won’t be plopping down a likely non-refundable $600 until some of you test it out for me.

But I’d like for it work great! So I hope the bugginess we’ve experienced in the rest of the MME’s software environment isn’t evident here. That’s all I’m saying, and I’m not sure why that is controversial or deserving of some rather patronizing responses above.

Also, many of the bugs we have experienced have nothing to do with “optional” features but are instead inherent in the overall driving / charging experience. So to respond with “hey if you don’t like bugs just turn off x” is a tad glib.

Well, lately there has been a strong tendency by many to treat this forum as one's own complaint department/therapist, often times in an adolescent and/or entitled manner. Eventually others tire of it, and offer sarcastic or glib responses.

Of course the replies I expect to get to the above is "well then don't read what I post", to which I will reciprocate in advance.

 

[AllenXS]

Well, lately there has been a strong tendency by many to treat this forum as one's own complaint department/therapist, often times in an adolescent and/or entitled manner. Eventually others tire of it, and offer sarcastic or glib responses.

Of course the replies I expect to get to the above is "well then don't read what I post", to which I will reciprocate in advance.

Can't wait to go blue cruising.

 

[Badger_Prof]

General Electric brought us dishwashers that might short and catch fires to our homes.

Would you trust your life to their medical equipment or planes using their jet engines?

I don't understand your hesitation.

Yes I would trust GE med devices and jet engines because I know for a fact that nobody who worked on the dishwashers also worked on their med tech or jet tech. I am not confident that is the case for Ford teams working on Blue Drive and Ford Pass. Wish I knew.

 

[Mirak]

Well, lately there has been a strong tendency by many to treat this forum as one's own complaint department/therapist, often times in an adolescent and/or entitled manner. Eventually others tire of it, and offer sarcastic or glib responses.

Of course the replies I expect to get to the above is "well then don't read what I post", to which I will reciprocate in advance.

No, I definitely want you to read what I post.

But seriously, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with posting issues on this forum. For one, I’m trying to bring these issues to Ford’s attention and Ford doesn’t provide a very good means of doing so directly with Ford. For two, I’m trying to confirm whether these are unique issues for me or whether others are also experiencing them. I’m not using this board as a “therapist” but as a way to validate and pin down problems.

Now if somebody creates a bunch of threads to complain about the same thing, then I agree that’s bad form. But otherwise we should welcome discussion both good and bad. And I’m not sure it’s super friendly or helpful to respond along the lines of “tough cookies” or “if you don’t like it don’t buy it.”

As for complaining in an “entitled manner,” that’s pretty subjective. All I’ll say is that I’m not sure it’s unreasonable for somebody who just laid down $50k or more on a car to be a bit disappointed there are as many problems as there are, or to expect Ford to be a little more forthcoming about acknowledging these problems.

 

[trutolife27]

 

[tmblue]

do they have enough camera tech for this? Seems sketchy.

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