- At CES 2026 on Wednesday, Ford introduced that its common hands-free freeway driving system, BlueCruise, goals to go absolutely eyes-off in 2028.
- Upgraded BlueCruise will debut on the automaker’s Common Electrical Automobile platform, which arrives first in a $30,000 electrical pickup truck.
- “Autonomy shouldn’t be a premium characteristic,” mentioned Doug Discipline, Ford’s chief EV, digital, and design officer.
Whilst Ford ended 2025 in a type of retreat mode on electrical autos, it nonetheless counted one future-technology story as a win: over 1 million automobiles geared up with its hands-free BlueCruise freeway driving system on the street. Now, like different rivals, it is planning an enormous push into the subsequent degree of automated help, and that is “eyes-free” driving.
At CES 2026 on Wednesday, Ford introduced that eyes-off BlueCruise will arrive in 2028 on its new Common Electrical Automobile (UEV) platform. That clean-sheet platform, which debuts in a $30,000 electrical truck, was already key to Ford’s targets of creating higher, cheaper EVs and warding off China’s fast-moving automakers. Now it is central to the carmaker’s automated driving efforts as effectively.
In a weblog submit, Doug Discipline, an Apple and Tesla veteran who now serves as Ford’s chief EV, digital, and design officer, mentioned Ford’s objective is to “democratize” superior autonomous driving.
“Autonomy shouldn’t be a premium characteristic,” Discipline mentioned. “[Level 3] eyes-off driving will probably be road-ready in 2028, making the last word in car expertise out there for the various, not only a privileged few.”
Picture by: Ford
Proper now, BlueCruise permits drivers to take their arms off the wheel, as long as they watch the street forward and be able to intervene, on over 130,000 miles of permitted highways. Not like Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised), robotaxis from Waymo or Mercedes’ new MB.Drive Help Professional, it doesn’t perform in city environments.
Ford joins a number of different rivals branching into extra superior ranges of driving automation, one thing that has largely been held again by technical challenges and rules, or a scarcity thereof. At present, the one firm that provides a Stage 3 driver-assistance system within the U.S.—which means one that may function eyes-free in sure eventualities, so long as a driver is able to take over—is Mercedes-Benz, with its pretty restricted Drive Pilot characteristic.
Chinese language automaker Geely introduced a Stage 3 system at CES this week, and late final 12 months, Basic Motors mentioned it could deliver lidar-powered eyes-off driving to its automobiles as effectively, additionally in 2028.
However in GM’s case, that system is about to debut on the Cadillac Escalade IQ; the final one InsideEVs examined price about $140,000, and that was earlier than any extra lidar prices. Ford hasn’t shared particulars about any UEV fashions past the $30,000 truck, but it surely’s protected to imagine that any eyes-off-capable Ford would doubtless price far lower than an Escalade IQ.
2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E BlueCruise
Picture by: Patrick George
Ford has not mentioned whether or not its personal eyes-off BlueCruise would come with lidar or not. Seen by many as a key part for extra superior autonomy, lidar methods have reduced in size and cheaper in recent times because the expertise has scaled. “Due to the now-owned end-to-end stack between the digicam and different sensors, we now have a variety of flexibility sooner or later,” a Ford spokesperson informed InsideEVs.
Ford additionally did not disclose how a lot this next-generation BlueCruise may cost a little. Presently, the system will be had on the Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning and different automobiles for about $50 a month, $495 per 12 months or $2,495 on the time of buy. Each Ford and GM have seen important development in hands-free freeway driving tech subscriptions.
An AI Assistant That You Can Use At Dwelling Depot
Picture by: Ford
Like nearly each different firm with a presence at CES 2026, Ford is becoming a member of the factitious intelligence race. However this method appears tailored for the wants of Ford prospects.
Increasingly new automobiles include in-vehicle AI assistants that may reply questions conversationally, route your navigation system in novel methods and even function totally different car capabilities. Beginning this 12 months, Ford is integrating AI into the Ford and Lincoln App in order that it “travels with you between your telephone and your car.”
For instance, Ford officers mentioned, you possibly can take a photograph of some provides at your native dwelling enchancment retailer, after which ask the AI if it would slot in your truck mattress. Whereas apps like ChatGPT could return comparable outcomes, this method integrates “Ford-specific information” moderately than guesswork from the web.
In-Home Pc ‘Mind’
Ford Excessive-Efficiency Compute Middle
Picture by: Ford
Lastly, Ford supplied up extra particulars concerning the UEV platform’s zonal structure, a extra superior and streamlined method to dealing with car electronics.
Ford introduced the Excessive Efficiency Pc Middle, an in-house-developed unit that contains infotainment, automated driving, audio and related networking in a single compact bundle. With larger efficiency, a decrease manufacturing price and a smaller dimension, the pc ought to enable the $30,000 truck to have way more highly effective computing and options than present Ford fashions.
“For patrons, meaning a car that feels extra constant, extra dependable, and extra succesful 12 months after 12 months,” Discipline mentioned. Ford has been in search of higher vertical integration, moderately than dependence on a community of suppliers, because it makes an attempt to satisfy Chinese language automakers on pace and prices.
No different particulars have been launched concerning the Ford UEV truck, which is about to debut subsequent 12 months. Ford officers mentioned extra info will probably be launched about its superior autonomy options sooner or later. Executives like Discipline and CEO Jim Farley have mentioned investing in such applied sciences will probably be essential for Ford’s subsequent century of existence—and so they had higher work out. If CES 2026 proved something, it is that loads of Chinese language rivals are able to take Ford’s prospects in America the second they get the prospect.
Contact the creator: patrick.george@insideevs.com
