The UK government has approved Ford's BlueCruise technology, which will allow drivers to legally take their hands off the wheel while driving on certain motorways.
This "hands-off, eyes-on" technology, which will be available initially on 2023 models of Ford's electric Mustang Mach-E SUV, can control steering, acceleration, and braking, while a camera monitors the driver's eyes to ensure they remain alert.
However, the driver must keep their eyes on the road at all times and cannot use their mobile phone, fall asleep or engage in any other activity that diverts their attention away from driving.
Thatcham Research, an automotive research firm, emphasized that this is not a self-driving car but rather the latest advancement in assisted driving technology as we move a step closer to fully autonomous vehicles.
The technology will enable the car to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and even bring the car to a complete stop in traffic jams.
The Mustang Mach-E costs £50,830, and, while the hands-off technology will be free for the first 90 days, drivers will have to sign up for a monthly subscription after that of £17.99 per month. Would you use the technology or be happy to pay the subscription? Let us know in the comments.
Deliveries of the new model began last month and the car has a maximum speed of 80mph, while it uses both cameras and sensors to detect lane markings, speed signs, and the position and speed of other cars on the road.
Ford's BlueCruise technology has been available since 2021 in the USA and Canada, and it said that in that time 190,000+ Ford and Lincoln vehicles have covered more than 60 million miles using the technology without any accidents reported.
Tesla, which has been testing driverless cars in the US, recently issued a recall affecting 363,000 vehicles after safety officials raised concerns that it could allow drivers to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections unsafely.
If you need to check the recall status of your vehicle, click here.
