Ford Motor Company, an American multinational automobile manufacturer, has its headquarters in Michigan, United States. It was founded by Henry Ford in June 16 1903, and is best known for its wide range of automobiles and commercial vehicles sold under the Ford brand, as well as luxury cars under the Lincoln luxury division.
Apart from its primary business, Ford also holds an 8% stake in Aston Martin of the United Kingdom, and a 32% stake in China’s Jiangling Motors. Additionally, the company owns Brazilian SUV manufacturer Troller.
According to BBC, the UK government has approved Ford’s BlueCruise technology, which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel while driving on certain motorways. The technology, currently available only in the £50,000+ 2023 models of Ford’s electric Mustang Mach-E SUV, can control the steering, acceleration, and braking of the vehicle. However, a camera will monitor the driver’s eyes to ensure they are alert and can take control as required.
Thatcham Research, an automotive research firm emphasizes on the importance to note that this isn’t a self-driving car but the next development in assisted driving technology. The driver is not permitted to use their mobile or engage in any activity that takes attention away from the road, and they must keep their eyes on the road.
The BlueCruise technology has advanced safety features like, If the driver’s eyes are closed, the car will prompt them to put their hands on the steering wheel and take control, and If the driver doesn’t respond, the car will steadily slow down to a stop. This development in assisted driving technology is a significant step towards convenient and more efficient driving on motorways.
