Ford is preparing to roll out its Co-Pilot360 hands free technology as an option for some 2021 model year models in the US and Canada.
Co-Pilot360 combines various familiar, optional, driver assist features and will also include Active Drive Assist, allowing for hands free driving on 100,000 miles of divided highways in all 50 US states as well as Canada.
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Ford said Active Drive Assist is the next evolution of Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Centering, adding, as a first for the automaker, Hands-Free Mode with the potential for future enhancements.
Hands-Free Mode allows drivers on sections of pre-mapped, divided highways to drive with their hands off the steering wheel – if they continue to pay attention to the road ahead – granting them an additional level of comfort during long drives.
"The stress of long highway drives remains a huge issue for drivers around the world," said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford's chief product development and purchasing officer.
"By introducing driver-assist technologies like Active Drive Assist, our version of hands-free driving, we're allowing our customers to feel more confident whenever they're behind the wheel."
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By GlobalDataAn infrared, driver facing camera will track eye gaze and head position to ensure drivers are paying attention to the road while in Hands-Free Mode as well as hands on Lane Centering Mode which works on any road with lane lines.
Drivers will be notified by visual prompts on the instrument cluster when they need to return their attention to the road or resume control of the vehicle.
"Introducing Active Drive Assist with a driver-facing camera makes perfect sense because the vehicle helps relieve the stress and burden of driving but still leaves you fully in control," said Thai-Tang.
"And if you lose focus on the road ahead, Active Drive Assist will automatically warn and potentially slow the vehicle down until you're ready to focus back up."
Active Drive Assist will be offered on some 2021 model year Ford vehicles including the electric Mustang Mach-E.
First Mach-E buyers will have Active Drive Assist hardware included with the Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package option at time of purchase.
Customers who order the prep package will also be able to buy Active Drive Assist software and receive the feature either at a dealer or via an over the air update expected in the third quarter of 2021.
The prep package also includes Active Park Assist 2.0. Simply holding a button will allow the vehicle to take control of parking in parallel and perpendicular spaces. This also offers Park Out Assist with side sensing capability.
The Mustang Mach-E's Co-Pilot360 standard package includes two enhancements: Road Edge Detection and Blind Spot Assist.
The updated Lane Keeping System joins Auto High Beam Headlamps, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Post-Collision Braking, Rear View Camera, Reverse Brake Assist and Reverse Sensing System as standard with the Mustang Mach-E Co-Pilot360 2.0 standard package.
The included Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go now slows down a vehicle if the traffic ahead has stopped or slowed, bringing the vehicle to a complete stop before resuming as traffic begins to move.
Previously the technology required driver reactivation after a vehicle stopped for three seconds but it now resumes driving if stopped for up to 30 seconds. Speed Sign Recognition is also included.
Intersection Assist employs cameras and sensors technology used by Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking to detect oncoming traffic while attempting to turn left. If there's a risk of a potential collision with an oncoming vehicle, the vehicle can alert the driver and apply the brakes.
Standard and available packages vary by nameplate and Ford will detail them closer to on sale dates for 2021 model year vehicles.
