Investigation Launched by US Authorities on 130,000 Ford Vehicles Regarding Hands-Free Technology
In a recent development, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Ford Motor’s hands-free driving technology called BlueCruise. This move comes after two fatal crashes involving Ford Mustang Mach-E SUVs, which struck parked vehicles. The agency’s preliminary evaluation will focus on approximately 130,000 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles manufactured between 2021 and 2024 to determine if they pose an unreasonable risk to safety.
Ford has expressed its cooperation with the NHTSA throughout the investigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also launched separate investigations into the two crashes involving Mach-E vehicles. One incident occurred on February 24, when a Ford Mustang Mach-E using BlueCruise collided with a stationary Honda CR-V on Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, Texas, resulting in the death of the Honda driver. The other crash took place in Philadelphia on March 3, involving another Ford Mach-E.
The NHTSA has confirmed that BlueCruise was engaged just before the collision in the Philadelphia crash. This revelation has prompted the agency to further examine the performance of the hands-free driving system offered by Ford. Both fatal incidents occurred during nighttime lighting conditions.
BlueCruise is an advanced hands-free driving system developed by Ford. It operates on 97 percent of highways in the United States and Canada without intersections or traffic signals. The system utilizes a camera-based driver monitoring system to ensure driver attentiveness during autonomous driving. This investigation will specifically evaluate the system’s performance in terms of the dynamic driving task and driver monitoring.
The NHTSA’s decision to launch this investigation comes shortly after it opened a probe into Tesla’s recall of more than 2 million vehicles in December. The recall aimed to install new Autopilot software updates to enhance driver attention. However, the NHTSA received reports of 20 crashes involving vehicles equipped with the new Autopilot software, with at least 13 fatalities resulting from “foreseeable driver misuse of the system.” This investigation will assess whether the recall was sufficient to ensure driver safety.
These incidents highlight the growing concerns surrounding the implementation of advanced driver assistance technologies. While the promise of hands-free driving is enticing, it is crucial to thoroughly evaluate the performance and reliability of such systems. Both Ford and Tesla are at the forefront of developing autonomous driving technologies, and their actions in response to these investigations will undoubtedly shape the future of hands-free driving.
As these investigations unfold, it remains essential for regulators, automakers, and consumers to work together to ensure the safe integration of autonomous driving technologies on our roads. The NHTSA’s commitment to thoroughly evaluating these incidents serves as a reminder that safety should always be the top priority in the development and deployment of advanced driver assistance systems.
In conclusion, the investigation launched by US authorities on 130,000 Ford vehicles regarding hands-free technology is a significant development in the automotive industry. With safety concerns surrounding autonomous driving systems, it is crucial for regulators and automakers to collaborate and prioritize the well-being of drivers and pedestrians alike. As these investigations progress, it is hoped that they will provide valuable insights into the performance and reliability of hands-free driving technologies, ultimately shaping the future of autonomous vehicles.
