The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology following two fatal crashes involving Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs. The probe will assess the safety of around 130,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles from the 2021 through 2024 model years. Ford has stated that it is collaborating with NHTSA to support the investigation. Additionally, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting separate investigations into the two crashes, one of which resulted in the death of a 56-year-old Honda driver in Texas.
One of the crashes under investigation by the NTSB involved a Ford Mustang Mach-E using BlueCruise that collided with a stationary Honda CR-V on Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, Texas on February 24. The other incident occurred in Philadelphia on March 3 involving another Ford Mach-E. NHTSA confirmed that BlueCruise was engaged immediately before the collision in the Philadelphia crash. Both fatal crashes took place under nighttime lighting conditions, prompting NHTSA to open special crash investigations.
Ford’s BlueCruise is an advanced hands-free driving system that operates on 97% of U.S. and Canadian highways without intersections or traffic signals. The system utilizes a camera-based driver monitoring system to assess driver attentiveness. The NHTSA investigation focus includes Mach-E vehicles equipped with Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0, which incorporates various driver assistance technologies, including BlueCruise. The system was introduced in 2021 and is currently available in a range of Ford and Lincoln vehicles.
The NHTSA investigation seeks to evaluate the performance of the BlueCruise system in handling the dynamic driving task and driver monitoring. Ford has been working closely with NHTSA to assist in the investigation. The agency’s probe will provide valuable insights into the safety and effectiveness of Ford’s hands-free driving technology in real-world scenarios. Ford’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its vehicles and drivers is evident through its proactive engagement in the investigation process and commitment to improving its advanced driver assistance system.
The two fatal crashes involving Mustang Mach-E vehicles using BlueCruise have raised concerns about the safety of automated driving systems and the need for robust driver monitoring technologies. The incidents highlight the importance of thorough investigations into advanced driver assistance systems to ensure they meet the highest safety standards. NHTSA’s review of the BlueCruise system’s performance under various driving conditions will help identify any potential issues and inform future regulatory actions to enhance the safety of autonomous driving technologies.
As the automotive industry continues to advance towards increased automation and connectivity, it is crucial for regulators, automakers, and technology providers to collaborate on developing and implementing effective safety measures. The outcome of the NHTSA investigation into Ford’s BlueCruise technology will have significant implications for the future of hands-free driving systems and driver assistance technologies. By addressing the safety concerns raised by the fatal crashes involving Mustang Mach-E vehicles, the industry can enhance the reliability and effectiveness of automated driving systems to create a safer transportation environment for all road users.