Ford Announces 'Hands-Free’ Active Drive Assist With Driver-Facing Camera for Mach-E, Available Next Year with OTA Update

[Raymondjram]

So, does the Mach-E already have steering solenoids, or some auto steering mechanisms installed?

All new Fords have electrical power steering assist, even my 2014 Fusion Hybrid. I did test drives in two Ford cars with Park Assist and the steering wheel moves by itself. So the steering system has the hardware installed since 2013 or earlier.

 

[Billyk24]

All new Fords have electrical power steering assist, even my 2014 Fusion Hybrid. I did test drives in two Ford cars with Park Assist and the steering wheel moves by itself. So the steering system has the hardware installed since 2013 or earlier.

Many new Ford cars have auto self parallel-parking as my 2017 CMax Energi does.

 

[JamieGeek]

Many new Ford cars have auto self parallel-parking as my 2017 CMax Energi does.

The Mach-E will parallel park and perpendicular park and back out as well by itself.

From the packaging guide:

 

[Baker]

I don't understand why people are so interested by the hand free driving!!!! I will NEVER let a robot driving my car . I am OK to get an assistance like "line keeping", "pedestrian alert", warning side car, fatigue detection, etc... but I will not put my life and others people life in the "hands" of a machine, no way.

 

[eager2own]

but I will not put my life and others people life in the "hands" of a machine, no way.

Haven't been in a plane in the last 40 years, huh?

 

[Baker]

You should compare apple with apple. There is two pilots in the plane and controlers at the airport. It could be a good idea to get controlers on the highway

 

[JamieGeek]

You should compare apple with apple. There is two pilots in the plane and controlers at the airport. It could be a good idea to get controlers on the highway

When the plane is on autopilot the controllers aren't doing anything (the plane may even be out of controlled airspace) and one pilot is in the can while the other is flirting with the cabin crew....

I've watched a lot of Air Disasters I know whats going on up there!!

In all seriousness: Ford's system will keep an eye on the driver: If the driver stops paying attention to the road it will alert them and disengage the system. So you're not "allowing a robot to drive the car" unattended.

Do you use cruise control? Think of this as just a few steps up from cruise control.

 

[Baker]

The auto-pilot is only when they are in the air. Lift-off and landing is always by the pilots.

 

[timbop]

The auto-pilot is only when they are in the air. Lift-off and landing is always by the pilots.

Right, and the handsfree is only on limited access highways between entering and exiting the road - so cruise control with lane centering by detecting the lines and other cars. AFAIK they have not mentioned auto lane changing or interchanges. Essentially all they are doing is removing the requirement to have your hand on the wheel to indicate that you're paying attention. It is up you if you want to keep a hand on the wheel

 

[JamieGeek]

Modern commercial aircraft can takeoff and land by themselves. Pilots choose not to use that because they do not want to get rusty (and, I'm sure, some don't trust the system either).

Likewise the Mach-E can park and "unpark" itself as well--it just can't get you from the parking lot to the highway (that is the really hard part of autonomous vehicles).

 

[krafty81]

You may be surprised that we actually can land aircraft on aircraft carriers hands off to touchdown. I do like the parallel parking feature in my 13 Escape. It is fun to show off and works well. Sometimes too fast but it is easy to tap on the brakes.

 

[Wildthing]

I don't understand why people are so interested by the hand free driving!!!! I will NEVER let a robot driving my car . I am OK to get an assistance like "line keeping", "pedestrian alert", warning side car, fatigue detection, etc... but I will not put my life and others people life in the "hands" of a machine, no way.

What's the point to buy a car that is fun to drive if it's to not drive it?

 

[jhalkias]

What's the point to buy a car that is fun to drive if it's to not drive it?

The fun part is hardly ever a divided highway.

 

[Wildthing]

The fun part is hardly ever a divided highway.

You're right. Hands free on the highway : yes!

Full autonomous driving : not needed

 

[timbop]

The fun part is hardly ever a divided highway.

Except for when you're running interference for your truck-driving buddy who has a load of illegal beer he's racing to deliver!