The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Ford's BlueCruise driver assistance system following two fatal collisions involving Ford Mustang Mach-E cars. The system, which allows hands-free driving on certain roads, has been linked to two crashes that occurred at night, resulting in the death of one driver.
The NHTSA's probe will focus on the driver monitoring aspect of the system, as well as its overall performance in driving tasks. The agency will examine whether the system's eye-tracking cameras, which are designed to ensure drivers are paying attention, are effective in preventing accidents.
Ford has confirmed that it is working with the NHTSA to support the investigation. The company's BlueCruise system is designed to allow hands-free driving on certain roads, such as motorways, and is intended to reduce driver fatigue and improve safety.
The two crashes that prompted the investigation occurred in February and March, and are also being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The first crash resulted in the death of a 56-year-old driver who was struck by a Ford Mustang Mach-E using BlueCruise. The second crash occurred in Philadelphia and involved a Ford Mach-E that collided with a stationary vehicle.
The NHTSA's investigation into BlueCruise is the latest in a series of probes into driver assistance systems and their performance in the event of crashes. The agency recently announced an investigation into Tesla's Autopilot system, which has been linked to several fatal crashes.
BlueCruise has also been approved for use on certain motorways in the UK, where it is the only permitted driver assistance technology to allow hands-free driving. The system is designed to operate on specified sections of road at speeds of up to 81mph (130kmh).
The UK's Department for Transport declined to comment on the NHTSA's investigation, but said that the approval for BlueCruise was issued following a rigorous examination and assessment process.
The NHTSA's investigation into BlueCruise and other driver assistance systems highlights the need for continued scrutiny of these technologies and their performance in real-world driving scenarios. As the use of driver assistance systems becomes more widespread, it is essential that manufacturers and regulators work together to ensure that these technologies are safe and effective.
In a recent test of BlueCruise, the BBC's technology editor, Zoe Kleinman, found the experience to be "simultaneously relaxing and stressful." While the system performed well in terms of staying in lane and keeping pace with traffic, it also took some actions that she would not have, such as undertaking in the left-hand lane and appearing to speed up on slip-roads when exiting the motorway. Overall, she found the system to be in need of further development before it can be truly useful.
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