UK Customers

[ProximusAl]

Anyone know if the UK is ever going to get hands free driving/bluecruise? I was given the impression that we were when ordering, but can’t find anything official online, always refers to the USA.

I know we may need to wait for UK legislation to catch up, but wondering if Ford has made an announcement. My understanding is we have the hardware and this would be included as a free OFA update included in the Tech pack which was c.£10k extra. Everything i have been told has been verbal though.

Well my MME is not equipped with the blue cruise sensors behind the steering wheel, so I doubt it.

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[Jonno21]

Well my MME is not equipped with the blue cruise sensors behind the steering wheel, so I doubt it.

I haven't got mine yet but on YouTube videos you usually see some infrared sensors flashing on the clear strip behind the steering wheel. Take a quick video of this area and if you have the sensors they should be flashing. The human eye can't see these. (Good job really)

 

[ProximusAl]

I haven't got mine yet but on YouTube videos you usually see some infrared sensors flashing on the clear strip behind the steering wheel. Take a quick video of this area and if you have the sensors they should be flashing. The human eye can't see these. (Good job really)

As I said, my SR AWD doesn't have them equipped. I was under the impression no UK cars had them.

none

 

[portlandg]

As I said, my SR AWD doesn't have them equipped. I was under the impression no UK cars had them.

none

I think the only cars NOT to have the sensors are the RWD SR. My RWD ER has them.

 

[Mercury8]

Yep. The ER models have them. My AWD SR doesn’t. Which is OK as I’m happy driving myself…..?

 

[Jonno21]

I think the only cars NOT to have the sensors are the RWD SR. My RWD ER has them.

This is interesting as I can't find anything in the UK literature about this difference. I don't mind being corrected though.

 

[portlandg]

This is interesting as I can't find anything in the UK literature about this difference. I don't mind being corrected though.

Probably because there isn't any.

 

[Mercury8]

This is interesting as I can't find anything in the UK literature about this difference. I don't mind being corrected though.

SR models don’t have the IR sensors as they’re not equipped for self driving in the future so won’t need it. ?‍

 

[mustangguy64]

I read an interesting post by @ProximusAl in mid-July that Vehicle last started on (tappsDateTime) was when a command was sent to the car and Vehicle Date Time (vehicleDate Time) was the real date & time when the car was last started. At the time my experience didn't support that assumption but since my car arrived in the UK this is definitely the case. This morning I have sent 3 Activation requests from the app and each time Vehicle last started on (tappsDateTime) updated.

 

[JStepha]

My understanding was that the technology pack in the UK (c.£10k) which came on the Extended range RWD and AWD models included the hardware for handsfree and that it would be a free update in the UK at some point, but have seen no official mention of Bluecruise outside the US ?‍

 

[Andeh]

My understanding was that the technology pack in the UK (c.£10k) which came on the Extended range RWD and AWD models included the hardware for handsfree and that it would be a free update in the UK at some point, but have seen no official mention of Bluecruise outside the US ?‍

Yep, that's my understanding as well. When I test drove in April a bloke from Ford UK said it would come to the UK when the government regulations were sorted, but he also told me some utter rubbish as well, so I don't much believe it yet.

Not to mention, the only law change proposed this year is for such systems to be "restricted to motorways and to speeds of 37mph" - so useless. Who drives on a motorway at 37mph?!

Source

 

[portlandg]

My understanding was that the technology pack in the UK (c.£10k) which came on the Extended range RWD and AWD models included the hardware for handsfree and that it would be a free update in the UK at some point, but have seen no official mention of Bluecruise outside the US ?‍

Tech pack was only for ER versions. SR versions don't/didn't get it.

 

[Jonno21]

Yep, that's my understanding as well. When I test drove in April a bloke from Ford UK said it would come to the UK when the government regulations were sorted, but he also told me some utter rubbish as well, so I don't much believe it yet.

Not to mention, the only law change proposed this year is for such systems to be "restricted to motorways and to speeds of 37mph" - so useless. Who drives on a motorway at 37mph?!

Source

The article does say when the road is congested which in my experience of M1 driving is approaching 50% of the time. The article also says that the government is taking a cautious approach and may raise the restriction to 70mph. It's the lack of real world data from manufacturers which is not shared which is holding back progress. I don't support government interference in technology uptake but in this case I think they are right to be cautious.

The only company which publishes figures on accidents per million miles travelled relating to Full Self Driving (which it isn't really) is Tesla. See https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/VehicleSafetyReport

For transparency, other manufacturers should do the same unless they can't because they haven't got the computational power to do so.

It also may be worthwhile taking the article with a pinch of salt as we all know the press never misrepresent/misinterpret facts do they...?

 

[Andeh]

The article does say when the road is congested which in my experience of M1 driving is approaching 50% of the time. The article also says that the government is taking a cautious approach and may raise the restriction to 70mph. It's the lack of real world data from manufacturers which is not shared which is holding back progress. I don't support government interference in technology uptake but in this case I think they are right to be cautious.

The only company which publishes figures on accidents per million miles travelled relating to Full Self Driving (which it isn't really) is Tesla. See https://www.tesla.com/en_GB/VehicleSafetyReport

For transparency, other manufacturers should do the same unless they can't because they haven't got the computational power to do so.

It also may be worthwhile taking the article with a pinch of salt as we all know the press never misrepresent/misinterpret facts do they...?

I have no desire for assisted cruise up to the completely arbitrary speed of 37mph, hands free driving in a traffic jam doesn't appeal much. As it stands, traffic jams probably require the least steering input, so I'm not that fussed. Maybe if you're stuck on the M1 a lot it appeals!

I'd like it at 70 on free flowing motorways when you're actually crunching miles and not sat in a jam. However, if this takes data collection, it's going to be some way off.

My point is, it's unlikely to happen soon in the UK in a practical form, ala US BlueCruise, so it's worth keeping expectations realistic.

AutoExpress article is pretty much cut and paste from the Government press release, 37mph and all...

 

[Jonno21]

I have no desire for assisted cruise up to the completely arbitrary speed of 37mph, hands free driving in a traffic jam doesn't appeal much. As it stands, traffic jams probably require the least steering input, so I'm not that fussed. Maybe if you're stuck on the M1 a lot it appeals!

I'd like it at 70 on free flowing motorways when you're actually crunching miles and not sat in a jam. However, if this takes data collection, it's going to be some way off.

My point is, it's unlikely to happen soon in the UK in a practical form, ala US BlueCruise, so it's worth keeping expectations realistic.

AutoExpress article is pretty much cut and paste from the Government press release, 37mph and all...

Like you, I'm a realistic person. Even if helps to prevent the BMW/Audi behind tailgating at up to 37mph it's a win for me.

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