Feds question Ford in hands-free driving investigation

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has intensified its investigation into Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driver-assistance system by sending the company a comprehensive set of inquiries. This comes more than a year after two tragic accidents involving the technology, which resulted in fatalities. On June 18, the NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) delivered a letter containing 25 pivotal questions to Ford. While several questions pertain to basic details—like a complete list of vehicles equipped with BlueCruise—others delve deeper, seeking internal documents related to the crashes that prompted the investigation, as well as information on the system's development and any modifications made to the software. This marks the first significant request for information since the NHTSA elevated the investigation to an “engineering analysis” level in January. Such a classification is a necessary precursor to potentially compelling Ford to issue a recall. A spokesperson from Ford confirmed that the company is cooperating with the NHTSA during this probe. The investigation was initiated in April 2024 after two separate incidents where drivers using BlueCruise collided with stationary vehicles. These incidents were notably the first known fatalities associated with the system. BlueCruise is designed for use exclusively on pre-mapped highways, employing cameras, radar sensors, and software to autonomously manage steering, acceleration, and braking. Additionally, the system includes an in-cabin camera with eye-tracking technology aimed at ensuring that drivers remain attentive to the road. Available for an annual fee of $495 or a one-time payment of $2,495, BlueCruise can be found in models such as the Ford Explorer, Expedition, F-150, and the all-electric Mustang Mach-E. The recent crashes have raised concerns about the system's ability to detect stationary obstacles, a challenge that has also affected Tesla's driver-assistance features. The NHTSA noted in January that it had identified “limitations in the detection of stationary vehicles under certain conditions,” particularly highlighting issues with visibility at night, when both fatal crashes occurred. In its latest correspondence, the NHTSA is seeking further details regarding the algorithms and logic behind BlueCruise's hazard detection and classification processes. Ford has been given until August 6 to respond to these inquiries or risk facing civil penalties.