https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/20/us-safety-regulators-expand-ford-hands-free-driving-tech-investigation/ [tc-lockup] TechCrunch Desktop Logo [tc-lo] TechCrunch Mobile Logo * Latest * Startups * Venture * Apple * Security * AI * Apps * Events * Podcasts * Newsletters Sign In Search [ ]Submit * Site Search Toggle Mega Menu Toggle Topics Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture More from TechCrunch Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us Sign In Mustang steering wheel, Ford BlueCruiseImage Credits:Kirsten Korosec Transportation US safety regulators expand Ford hands-free driving tech investigation Kirsten Korosec 2:02 PM PST * January 20, 2025 A U.S. federal safety regulator has "upgraded" its investigation into Ford's hands-free advanced driver assistance system known as BlueCruise -- a required step before a recall can be issued. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defects Investigation launched a probe into Ford BlueCruise last April after the agency confirmed the system was active in Ford Mustang Mach E vehicles involved in two fatal crashes. In both instances, the Mustang Mach E cars hit stationary vehicles. NHTSA issued a notice this week that it has upgraded the investigation to an engineering analysis. This means the agency will dig deeper into BlueCruise and its potential limitations, which includes vehicle evaluations, reviewing additional technical information, and performing additional analysis of related crashes and non-crash reports. An estimated 129,222 Ford Mustang Mach E vehicles are equipped with BlueCruise, according to the regulator. A Ford spokesperson told TechCrunch the automaker is working with NHTSA to support its investigation. The agency said its initial investigation found BlueCruise has limitations in the "detection of stationary vehicles in certain conditions." Those limitations include the potential to falsely detect stationary objects at long distances when the Ford vehicle is traveling at or above 62 miles per hour. "Additionally, system performance may be limited when there is poor visibility due to insufficient illumination," NHTSA said. Ford debuted BlueCruise in 2021 on the 2021 F-150 pickup truck and certain 2021 Mustang Mach-E models. The hands-free feature uses cameras, radar sensors, and software to provide a combination of adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and speed-sign recognition. BlueCruise and competitor GM's Super Cruise systems are both hands-free, although an in-cabin camera monitors drivers to ensure their eyes are on the road. These systems are considered competitors to Tesla Autopilot, which still requires the driver's hands to remain on the wheel. Autopilot and the upgraded Tesla Full Self-Driving software are still considered less constrained than Ford BlueCruise, which only works on certain pre-mapped highways. Last October, NHTSA also opened an investigation into Tesla's so-called "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" software after four reported crashes in low-visibility situations -- including one where a pedestrian was killed. That investigation is ongoing. This article was updated to include a comment from Ford. Topics ADAS, BlueCruise, Ford, nhtsa, Tesla, Transportation Kirsten Korosec Kirsten Korosec Transportation Editor Kirsten Korosec is a reporter and editor who has covered the future of transportation from EVs and autonomous vehicles to urban air mobility and in-car tech for more than a decade. She is currently the transportation editor at TechCrunch and co-host of TechCrunch's Equity podcast. She is also co-founder and co-host of the podcast, "The Autonocast." 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