Ford BlueCruise Stands Out in IIHS Study for Driver-Friendly Features
Ford BlueCruise Stands Out in IIHS Study for Driver-Friendly Features
Posted on January 27, 2025
Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system has been in the spotlight recently, with mixed reviews and ongoing investigations into partially autonomous driving technologies. However, a new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) brings positive recognition to BlueCruise, highlighting its unique advantages over competing systems in one key area: fostering active driver participation.
The study, led by Alexandra Mueller, a senior IIHS research scientist, surveyed 1,260 owners of vehicles equipped with partial automation systems from Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Infiniti, and Tesla. It found that systems like Ford’s BlueCruise and Nissan/Infiniti’s ProPILOT Assist excel at keeping drivers engaged during critical situations. Unlike systems from GM and Tesla, which deactivate lane-centering when drivers manually steer, BlueCruise and ProPILOT Assist remain active even when drivers make minor steering adjustments.
Participants in the study watched a demonstration where a driver performed a simple lane adjustment and were asked how their vehicle’s system would respond. Ford BlueCruise allowed drivers to maintain hands-free control while continuing to provide lane-centering support, making it more intuitive and cooperative. In contrast, systems that deactivate under manual input, such as those from GM and Tesla, require reactivation after driver intervention—an inconvenience that may discourage drivers from taking necessary actions.
These findings suggest that Ford BlueCruise’s approach encourages safer driver behavior. By maintaining support during manual inputs, it reduces frustration and promotes active participation, especially in situations requiring swift responses. This blend of automation and driver control reflects Ford’s commitment to creating intuitive technologies that enhance both convenience and safety on the road.