Consumer Reports ranks BlueCruise as #1 driver assistance system

[roamtheworld]

The rankings not only consider technical functionality but stuff like driver monitoring and communication with the driver. That's where Ford really got a lot of points that separates it from the pack.

It nags a lot in my use so I can see why they gave big points for that

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[Jimmy2]

I've observed BC nags me more when I'm driving into the sun.

 

[Warp Asylum]

It's good to hear that you've used it on some of the same roads so maybe we have some hope.
We live in SW Austin and travel at least once a month to all of those cities and on curves and the side to side movement makes it not usable IMO. It's not smooth at all.
Maybe we do have something wrong with the calibration

Maybe one of the more knowledgeable members can chime in, but it shouldn't be that way. I would try to identify a stretch of freeway with the poor behavior near enough to a dealer then ask them to try to reproduce it.

 

[SWO]

yeah..... CR values things that I care much less about and under weights things I care a lot about.

The most important thing to me is how well it actually drives.

• Are there breaks in the map for no clear reason - Yes
• Does it adjust speed for curves - No (I am told BC 1.2 does, but what I have doesn't)
• Can it change lanes - No (again 1.0 doesn't)
• Does it use capacitive touch instead of torque to know I am here - No and without a hardware change this is not going to be different.

Really looking forward to 1.2

I've read that the capacitive touch on some vehicles is pretty awful (Hyundai in particular). I'd take torque sensing over a steering wheel have to firmly grasp.

 

[A-A-Ron]

Here is the map straight from Ford showing Texas
Major highways I-35 from Dallas to Austin, I-35 Austin to San Antonio and I-37 San Antonio to Corpus Christi. All interstate highways. All at least 4 lanes and many sections have 6 lanes with everything well marked. Some areas of construction but I disengaged during slower construction areas. All traveled in good weather with zero rain or snow with light to no winds. Perfect traveling conditions every time and it made the trip harder IMO. After New Year weekend trip I told my wife I will not use until we get a new version. I would NOT pay for it today based on my experience.

The problem I have with it is that most of those roads around Dallas have gaps that you can't see from this level but show up when you zoom in. Toll gantries, turns, some merges all have gaps in BlueCruise coverage that take me out of hands free at least ever couple of miles on my highway commute. And that doesn't even include the times it drops because it can't sense the lines, doesn't like the sun's angle, freaks out over a car in another lane on a mild curve, or otherwise doesn't have the confidence to drive on its own on BCHF approved roads.

 

[roamtheworld]

The problem I have with it is that most of those roads around Dallas have gaps that you can't see from this level but show up when you zoom in. Toll gantries, turns, some merges all have gaps in BlueCruise coverage that take me out of hands free at least ever couple of miles on my highway commute. And that doesn't even include the times it drops because it can't sense the lines, doesn't like the sun's angle, freaks out over a car in another lane on a mild curve, or otherwise doesn't have the confidence to drive on its own on BCHF approved roads.

Good old fashion lane keep assist is constantly getting confused with lines on two lane roads with it seeing strips of sealant covering cracks as lane markings. It's constantly warning me I've gone over the line when its just a crack in the blacktop.
Maybe the programming is different for different roads. Not sure who is providing the data but California might be better than Texas as example. Just a thought.

 

[RobbertPatrison]

That is a surprising ranking based on my 10 months of driving BlueCruise.

Here in the Bay Area with its busy and curvy highways, I have never been able to keep BlueCruise on for more than a few minutes. It gives up quickly. The main problem is that BlueCruise is oblivious to cars in the adjacent lanes on the left and right. It simply tries to stay centered in the lane all the time. The other cars don't: they cut corners or swerve. So in practice, I need to fight the system often to keep a safe spacing. things are better on empty straight highways, but we don't have those here...

Apart from that, BlueCruise is pretty good. It did not do any ghost braking and is relatively smooth in adjusting to cars swerving in and out of the lane in front. It is possible to drive 'foot-free' in stop-and-go traffic or on local roads, though it is a little late in braking and a little late in accelerating back.
The attention monitor is excellent indeed: it accurately knows when I am distracted.

 

[ultramantaro]

Not sure what Driver Engagement means. Is that alerts for the driver, or reminders, etc.? One of those famous articles of Tesla FSD accidents was mostly attributed to both the software not recognizing certain lane patterns and also the driver literally dozing off or napping.

 

[Blue highway]

Literally never experienced any of this I find it weird how some vehicles are inconsistent, maybe it's the markings on the roads? But I use BC all the time and it's so good around here.

see the gaps in the BC map... yeah, it really stops hands free on these portions of the road.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

i'm surprised that BC capabilities was a 9/10 given it just stays in lane, leans a bit, etc. i know 1.2 has lane change, maybe they based on that (though given the timing seems unlikely)

what does mercedes have that makes it 10/10? would be interested to know that too

A boat load of sensor tech and recent LV3 autonomous certification in a few states? Actually, I think only CO and working on CA. I was surprised to learn Mercedes was so far along. I had always thought, based on reviews, that GM was in the lead. Now Ford is getting accolades? I can't keep up.

I'm happy enough with the driver assistance features on the MME. My expectations are pretty low so I'm often pleasantly surprised with the capabilities. Looking forward to future updates.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

Literally never experienced any of this I find it weird how some vehicles are inconsistent, maybe it's the markings on the roads? But I use BC all the time and it's so good around here.

Same here. I drive alone a lot so I sometimes do somewhat risky tests to test the systems limitations. There have been times I'm certain BC will disengage or mishandled a situation only to find Sheeba has it under control (though she cuts it a bit close for comfort sometimes).

This is why I'm excited for 1.2. Hopefully it doesn't break something

 

[krafty81]

I love BC and use it every chance I get. What I have noticed here is that direct or low sun does cause it to be more conservative. It is also not crazy about sharp light/dark contrasts, like when you come out from under a bridge. Other than that, I am very happy with it. It relaxes me.

 

[Mach-E VLOG]

Some really good clarification on how they rated the systems. Biggest "shocker" is that they didn't award or penalize any system for "hands off" features. CR doesn't consider any system good enough for hands off so they didn't evaluate that. Ford's systems scored well because it functions on highways and regular roads (with lane markings).

Full details in this Tweet thread from Michael Wayland:

 

[kltye]

Some really good clarification on how they rated the systems. Biggest "shocker" is that they didn't award or penalize any system for "hands off" features. CR doesn't consider any system good enough for hands off so they didn't evaluate that. Ford's systems scored well because it functions on highways and regular roads (with lane markings).

Full details in this Tweet thread from Michael Wayland:

Wayland's complaining about needing to "take over" for more acute curves is rich - Tesla's system (until very recently?) didn't even allow you to take hands off the wheel at all. I don't see what the big deal is, tbh.

 

[Mach-E VLOG]

Wayland's complaining about needing to "take over" for more acute curves is rich - Tesla's system (until very recently?) didn't even allow you to take hands off the wheel at all. I don't see what the big deal is, tbh.

Yeah, and he and others get "take over" confused with "keep hands on steering wheel." Most of the time, it is just asking you to put your hands back on during a situation but it is still steering.

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