Ford’s BlueCruise: A Ford Mustang Mach-E was involved in a recent deadly crash in Texas, which is the subject of an investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of the United States is looking into the possibility of a recent tragic collision involving Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving technology.
- According to the NTSB, a Honda CR-V that was stopped on Highway 10 in San Antonio, Texas, was struck in the rear by a Mustang Mach-E equipped with BlueCruise; the driver of the Honda CR-V subsequently passed away.
Ford’s BlueCruise hand-free driving assistance system is the subject of an inquiry by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States. A recent fatal collision involving a Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with BlueCruise served as the impetus for the investigation. According to the NTSB’s first report, the Mach-E collided with the rear end of a stationary Honda CR-V on Highway 10. Later on, the driver of the CR-V passed away.
As per the San Antonio police report, the Mach-E was operating on “partial automation” at the time of the collision, as reported by Reuters. According to the Reuters report, the NTSB chose to investigate the crash “due to its continuing interest in advanced driver assistance systems and how vehicle operators interact with these technologies.” Within 30 days, the NTSB’s initial report ought to be accessible.
A Ford representative informed Car & Driver, “We were recently made aware of this incident and extend our deepest sympathies to those involved,” in response to a request for comment on the circumstances. Not all of the details surrounding this incident are known yet. We reported this incident to NHTSA as soon as Ford notified us about it, and we are now compiling as much data as we can. At Ford, everyone knows that safety comes first, and we will work closely with any investigating authorities.”
It is determined that Ford’s BlueCruise is a Level 2 autonomous system. BlueCruise-equipped cars have a camera and infrared light emitters in the cabin to track what the drivers see, discouraging them from dodging that duty. BlueCruise will shut down if the driver’s gaze strays from the work at hand for an extended period.
Not too long after the IIHS failed almost all automakers in a new grading program designed to assess partially autonomous driving systems, the latest Mach-E crash occurred, and an investigation was launched. In looking into the security of new driver-aid devices, the NTSB is not working alone.