BlueCruise Hands-Free Driving Reviews Are In!

[Mathington]

So if the advantage is that I can take my hands off the wheel, but still have to be vigilant, then what is the value here? I would totally get this if I could find the value beyond keeping my hands down vs on the wheel. I figure I'm missing some important detail.

Even with the current ACC I find it makes a big difference in my daily 2-hr commute compared to not having the functionality. It was actually surprising to me when I first started using ACC in my Mach-E as I wasn't expecting to notice anything different than regular cruise control. Simply having the car center in the lane and automatically adjust the speed helps my mind relax more than I ever expected. Now take that and remove the need to always keep my hand on the steering wheel? I am gladly going to pay the $700 CAD for this!

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[Mathington]

Hopefully lane changing (even if it's not automatic, and you have to request a change via the turn signal stalk) will come to BlueCruise because that will be another huge improvement

I would love to have this feature as well.

 

[deadduck]

You've got it, I think. The advantages are that you can remove your hands from the wheel, and the driver monitoring is improved to better detect when you're inattentive.

These are both great things IMO... I'll spend the $600 to see if it improves my life.

I don't really see how this is much different than what I already have with ACC. My Accord can almost drive itself to work, I can remove my hands for 15 seconds or so, and it can handle light corners. In fact, I'd be afraid that the hand's off could cause me to zone out after a lunch.

I think it's a nice to have but hardly a need to have.

 

[nmundo]

Hopefully lane changing (even if it's not automatic, and you have to request a change via the turn signal stalk) will come to BlueCruise because that will be another huge improvement

Ford already promised this as a future update in their BlueCruise press release a few months back.

"Future enhancements are planned to include Lane Change Assist that will let the vehicle change lanes with just a tap of the turn signal indicator, and Predictive Speed Assist that will adjust vehicle speed for road curves, roundabouts and more."

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...road-trips-bluecruise-hands-free-driving.html

 

[IMDIDOC]

I believe it will be great to feel more comfortable when using the display to go through the menus, and to get the pesky lid off the coffee you just got prior to getting on the expressway.

I was contacted by Ford about getting it early and I'm hoping it is here in the next couple of weeks. I plan a trip of some several hundred miles to the upper peninsula of Michigan and I see most of the highways are blue ones even through Canada (COVID test required).

 

[blue92lx]

Ford already promised this as a future update in their BlueCruise press release a few months back.

"Future enhancements are planned to include Lane Change Assist that will let the vehicle change lanes with just a tap of the turn signal indicator, and Predictive Speed Assist that will adjust vehicle speed for road curves, roundabouts and more."

https://media.ford.com/content/ford...road-trips-bluecruise-hands-free-driving.html

Adjusting speed for road curves is a big one. That's when stuff like this makes it's way to city driving and you can do a commute to work in it.

 

[musgang]

Is it standard on CA Rt 1? Bought mine in June. How do I check if it comes with the car?

 

[benk016]

I don't really see how this is much different than what I already have with ACC. My Accord can almost drive itself to work, I can remove my hands for 15 seconds or so, and it can handle light corners. In fact, I'd be afraid that the hand's off could cause me to zone out after a lunch.

I think it's a nice to have but hardly a need to have.

The main difference is that the car won't just rely on cameras to see lines in the road. It will download a full 3D model of the highway, so it will know exactly how the road is laid out. Then the cameras and radar will mostly just be used to verify the cars position, and to watch other traffic.

The zoning out, should actually be caught by the driver monitoring system. It tracks head movement, if your eyes are open or not, and also if your eyes are moving and where you're actually looking. So even if your eyes are open and looking ahead, if you're not moving your head or eyes at all like you're zoned out, you should start to get the pay attention warning.

I suspect, just like with Adaptive Cruise and with lane centering, its one of those things you don't think you'll use much, but once you have it, you will never want a car without it again.

I'm currently driving a 2020 Escape as a loaner while my MME is getting some updates done at the dealer, and its kind of crazy how much more effort I have to put in to driving in that car that doesn't have the assist features.

 

[RedStallion]

Meanwhile, Tesla drivers will still be stuck hanging weights on their steering wheels to be hands-free. ?

I'm surprised Tesla FSD is legal. It's navigation abilities are worse than that of a fly, and disengagements come constantly. It presents a huge danger not only to all those unqualified beta testers, but to everybody on the road.

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

Having driven a few thousand miles with the Mach E's ICC with Lane Centering, I find it much less stressful than normal cruise control. I'm still alert to the road but the monotony is less draining. I often found myself longing to go fully hands-free and anticipate it will be an excellent experience.

I totally agree. I don't the the notice flashing up to keep my hands on the wheel. Generally they are and I guess there's just not enough pressure applied. So the hands free will be nice.

 

[JamieGeek]

Is it standard on CA Rt 1? Bought mine in June. How do I check if it comes with the car?

The CA Rt1 includes the hardware. I would bet, however, that you'll have to fork over the $600.

 

[timbop]

I don't mean to call out or pick on @nmundo explicitly, but I can't believe how often wording like this:

"Future enhancements are planned to include Lane Change Assist that will let the vehicle change lanes with just a tap of the turn signal indicator,

Gets turned into this:

Ford already promised this as a future update in their BlueCruise press release a few months back.

I see the word "promise" used here all the time with respect to qualified statements from Ford, and while Ford clearly intends to put that functionality in it is far from a guarantee. It may not happen due to technical, legal, or other reasons.

Is it standard on CA Rt 1? Bought mine in June. How do I check if it comes with the car?

Your car has the hardware but you'll have to pay $600 for the software/service

 

[EELinneman]

It does appear that the Tesla FSD doesn't drive you home from the bar when hammered.
https://electrek.co/2021/08/02/tesla-autopilot-stop-drunk-driver-unconscious-wheel/

 

[Frankie]

So if the advantage is that I can take my hands off the wheel, but still have to be vigilant, then what is the value here? I would totally get this if I could find the value beyond keeping my hands down vs on the wheel. I figure I'm missing some important detail.

Do you also not feel there's any value in regular cruise control, where you can take your foot off the pedal but still have to be vigilant?

 

[Mathington]

I look forward to actual video reviews on YouTube and really testing the limitations of Blue Cruise.

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