Sunday, March 31, 2024

Ford BlueCruise Active Driving Assistance System Review

blue cruise vs super cruise

It doesn’t, for example, show a display of the car, lane lines, or the car ahead, as other systems do. For many people, the next new car they buy will be their first experience with an active driving assistance system. The ACC function of Tesla’s Autopilot system is capable of stopping the car, such as at a red light behind another vehicle, for an unlimited amount of time before resuming again. But without an adequate driver monitoring camera, this is potentially unsafe as there’s no way to know whether the driver is still paying attention when the vehicle starts moving again.

Keeping the Driver Engaged

Right now, Consumer Reports says only Ford and GM qualify for extra points in its scoring structure thanks to infrared cameras that monitor the driver's eyes, ensuring they are always looking ahead while driver-assist systems are active. However, Ford BlueCruise offers consistent performance in highway driving, while GM SuperCruise shines with its automatic lane change feature, which sets it apart in complex driving situations. While ADA systems are generally not designed for narrow, curvy roads, most systems do allow drivers to use them in those environments. We think it’s smart that GM’s Super Cruise, Lucid’s Highway Assist, and Rivian’s Highway Assist use GPS-based geofencing to ensure operation within relatively safe driving environments, such as divided highways.

blue cruise vs super cruise

Oceania Cruises

Each manufacturer designs and develops features that may or may not perform equivalently due to differences in sensors used, data interpretation, and other vehicle mechanizations. Feature comparisons based on data from competitors’ websites and owner manuals. However, the latest Consumer Reports review of 12 systems shows significant differences in how well they work. BlueCruise allows for hands-free driving on pre-mapped, divided highways in the United States and Canada. When the system is engaged, the driver can take their hands off the steering wheel, but they must remain attentive to the road and be ready to take control if necessary.

Cruises

Autonomous technology can provide greater mobility to people with disabilities or those who are unable to drive. GM’s Super Cruise would have scored the lowest for “displays” if it weren’t for the bright green LED indicator on the top of the steering wheel rim, which makes it clear when the system is engaged. Beyond that, Super Cruise offers little information in the instrument panel beyond a small, steering wheel icon that indicates the system is active.

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2024 Cadillac Escalade Gets Super Cruise for Almost Everyone.

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Chevy SuperCruise vs. Ford BlueCruise: Which Cruise to Choose

The systems try to create a “center” of the lane but often end up steering too close to the unlined edge of the road. It’s equal parts eerie and amazing to experience Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving feature as it takes over your car’s steering, braking, and acceleration while you travel down the highway. For travelers whose vacation budgets have no limits, consider upgrading to "the most exclusive address at sea" — the Regent Suite. These include a private car and driver in every port, an exclusive private dining experience and an in-suite spa with unlimited treatments. Couples looking for the best cruise lines for a romantic adventure should make reservations with Viking Ocean Cruises.

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Bathrooms include glass-enclosed showers, anti-fog mirrors and heated floors. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don’t cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Romantic types will love Windstar's three vessels with sails — a relative rarity. Foodies can choose one of the James Beard-themed cruises, which include market tours and cooking demonstrations with a James Beard Award-winning chef.

Tradition long has been a touchstone for this storied line, which dates to 1873 and is known for carefully crafted, globe-circling itineraries on midsize ships. Cunard fans love the line's relatively formal vibe (including nightly dress codes) and other nods to ocean liner tradition, including evenings with ballroom dancing. Celebrity's four newest ships, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent, feature "infinite veranda" cabins that are open to the sea in a way we haven't seen with other ocean ships.

The most significant hands-free driving systems of 2023 - Automotive News Canada

The most significant hands-free driving systems of 2023.

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If it detects otherwise, Bluecruise will flash an alert in the instrument cluster that says "Watch the Road," and there may be an audio reminder. If you don't respond to the warning, Bluecruise shuts down and automatically slows the vehicle while maintaining the center lane. Proper conditions and an attentive driver are required in order to activate and use Super Cruise. Make sure you’re on a compatible road with clearly visible lane markings and that your camera and radar sensors aren’t covered, and ensure your eyes are on the road so the Driver Attention System detects you’re paying attention. BlueCruise may include a lane change assistance feature, allowing the driver to activate the turn signal to indicate a lane change intention, and the system assists with the maneuver when it deems it safe. It’s alarming that, with the Honda and Kia systems, if a driver becomes unresponsive to warnings to put their hands on the steering wheel, the ADA systems will shut off before bringing the vehicle to a stop.

It keeps the vehicle centered in its lane, even around curves, using cameras and sensors to monitor lane markings. Ford BlueCruise and GM SuperCruise are two of the most talked-about innovations in the autonomous driving technology space. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce accidents and save lives through advanced sensors and algorithms that can detect and react to potential hazards more quickly than humans. Hyundai’s newer system—Highway Driving Assist 2—isn’t any better than the original system in this regard.

Food options include gourmet specialties, quick-serve bites and 24-hour room service, so you and your family can eat anytime you're hungry. Parents can even book a romantic dinner while the kids have fun at one of the supervised youth clubs. Accommodations are designed with families in mind by including privacy curtains, divided bathrooms and storage space in most staterooms. Families can experience Disney magic by booking a cruise through Disney Cruise Lines. With over 19 ports of departure to choose from, your family can take a Disney cruise from almost anywhere in the world. Departure cities include Barcelona, Rome, Fort Lauderdale, Sydney, New Orleans and San Diego.

The system can be integrated with the vehicle's navigation system to anticipate curves, highway exits, and other potential challenges on the route. The driver-facing camera monitors the driver's attention and will intervene if the system detects that the driver is not paying attention or has become disengaged. The intervention comes in the form of visual and audible alerts to regain the driver’s focus. BlueCruise will use a driver-facing camera to make sure you're paying attention while the system is operating. We only included vehicles in our testing that were equipped with a system that allows for the simultaneous use of ACC and LCA at highway speeds.

Sounds a bit dystopian, always being watched while you’re driving, but that’s not the point. It makes sure that the driver stays focused on the road, keeping their eyes forward and away from their phone. Super Cruise will not brake the vehicle when approaching an intersection that is controlled by a traffic light or stop sign. Super Cruise will not detect vehicles crossing the road ahead, including at intersections, and will not automatically steer or brake to prevent a collision.

All of its ships are truly all-inclusive, with complimentary unlimited shore excursions at its more than 500 ports of call. With just four ships, each holding fewer than 700 passengers, Azamara is one of the smallest players in the cruise business. But it has a loyal following of travelers who appreciate the upscale ambience of its vessels, the inclusive amenities it offers (including gratuities and alcoholic drinks) and its destination focus.

ADA systems can also have safety benefits, such as potentially keeping you from crossing over a lane line into opposing traffic during a moment of inattention. Super Cruise uses an HD GPS receiver that locates the vehicle within about six feet of its lane, so it knows where it is. Ford relies on cameras and sensors alone, so it is less aware of where it is.   It can get confused near off ramps and wary of merging lanes. In my testing on both the Mach-E Mustang and F-150 Lightning, it tended to pinball between the lane for a longer period of time than some cars equipped with only active lane control.

BlueCruise vs SuperCruise: Ford And GM Comparison

blue cruise vs super cruise

In its announcement of BlueCruise, Ford specifically compared its new option with Tesla’s Autopilot and General Motors’ Super Cruise. For all the benefits that driving a car offers, not least of which is the mental escape from the trials of daily life, the prospect of a self-driving vehicle remains tantalizing. And with BlueCruise, a new hands-free driving system from Ford, another automaker has moved one step closer to that final goal of fully autonomous driving. Once you are ready for Super Cruise to steer again, center the vehicle in the lane and wait for the steering wheel to turn green. Super Cruise is designed to work in certain low-speed, congested traffic situations, helping reduce the driver's workload.

GM's Super Cruise vs. Ford's Bluecruise: Compare hands-free driving systems

blue cruise vs super cruise

Originally called Active Drive Assist, Bluecruise (or Activeglide on Lincoln vehicles) didn't launch until the second half of 2021. Cruise, or speed, control dates as far back as the rivalry between America's top two automakers. Yet, the first car to feature a modern version of cruise control was the 1958 Chrysler Imperial that was advertised as "Auto-pilot." That's the same and now controversial name Tesla uses for its semi-autonomous drive system. Onboard both BlueCruise and SuperCruise capable vehicles are cameras capable of tracking the driver’s eyes.

GM's Super Cruise Hands-Free Driving Feature Blew My Mind Over 2,000 Miles - Gear Patrol

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Best cruise lines for couples: Viking Ocean Cruises

As these systems become available on more new cars, it’s important that consumers understand their limitations. No matter what the automakers might imply in their marketing, none of the systems we tested here are capable of doing the driving for you. We evaluated the systems in terms of how clearly they communicate in real time about when drivers should—and should not—be using the technology. We also looked at how well they "explain" themselves in instances when the system won’t engage or suddenly turns itself off.

Keeping the Driver Engaged

No. 6 Oceania Cruises also got a better score this year, rising two places, as numerous voters mentioned the high quality of the line's onboard cuisine. "In our experience with eight different cruise lines," said one well-traveled voter, "Oceania consistently has the best food." If you're wondering what is the best cruise line for luxury travelers, look no further. Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers an unrivaled experience for the most discerning travelers.

blue cruise vs super cruise

We found BlueCruise enjoyable to use because it provides steering assistance on straight, boring sections of highway, or when you’re stuck in a traffic jam, which can make driving less stressful and more relaxing. The promise of a car driving itself in traffic while the operator tends to other business has never been closer to reality. And while the technology exists, the current infrastructure and legal framework keeps it at bay. To be clear, there is no such thing as a fully self-driving car on sale today. That threshold of being able to enter a destination and go from point A to point B with no interaction between car and passenger has been identified as a Level 5 advanced driving assistance system (ADAS) by the Society for Automotive Engineering.

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When you dine aboard a Regent cruise, you'll experience world-class chefs as well as sommeliers to pair your wine to your meal. Dining options include a variety of restaurants serving French cuisine, Pan-Asian dishes, Italian specialties, steak and more. Regent offers an all-suite fleet so travelers can enjoy spacious and luxurious accommodations. Each suite has a private balcony, a dedicated attendant, an in-suite minibar and a separate sitting area.

Best cruise lines for families: Disney Cruise Line

GM's Hands-Free Super Cruise Expands To 750,000 Miles - Forbes

GM's Hands-Free Super Cruise Expands To 750,000 Miles.

Posted: Wed, 14 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

This relatively new cruise line, backed by Richard Branson's Virgin Group, is reinventing mainstream cruising with a hipper, more inclusive, younger vibe (though not too young; its ships are adults-only). The cruising arm of Ritz-Carlton has been in operation for just a bit over a year, and the jury still is out on where it ranks in the pantheon of luxury cruise brands. The line notably struggled to get off the ground after years of construction delays for its first and only ship. This France-based line is a specialist in expedition cruising, a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on small, hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft. Like Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, MSC Cruises operates big, resort-like vessels that appeal to a broad audience.

Clear When Safe to Use

If the system detects the driver is not paying attention to the road or is engaged in other tasks, it will prompt the driver to take control of the vehicle. SuperCruise offers features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, and automatic lane changes. It also has a driver attention system that uses a small camera to ensure the driver's focus remains on the road ahead.

GM sued Ford over the BlueCruise name

It operates on pre-mapped, compatible highways, which Ford continuously updates and expands. Our testers evaluated how easy it was for drivers to engage the systems and make adjustments to the settings. They also reviewed the types and amount of information displayed to drivers, and how easy it was to know and understand what the system was doing. But while BlueCruise’s capabilities are impressive and can make driving more relaxing, cars that can truly and safely drive themselves remain a long way off. Bluecruise does not have an auto lane change function yet, but Ford hasn't rolled it out yet. Semantics aside, both Chevy SuperCruise and Ford BlueCruise are similar technologies, tracking the driver and the road simultaneously.

BlueCruise uses cameras and sensors to keep the vehicle centered within its lane, even during curves and highway interchanges. The system’s adaptive cruise control adjusts the vehicle's speed to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front. It can recognize and respond to speed limit signs, adjusting the vehicle's speed accordingly. When a system is controlling a car’s speed and steering, there’s a risk that its driver might feel more free to pick up a cell phone, eat a messy burger, or engage in other reckless, distracting behavior. That’s why we think it’s essential that ADA systems use direct driver monitoring systems (DDMS) to make sure the driver is paying attention to the road.

Active Driving Assistance systems rely on several of a car’s high-tech features working together. In the simplest terms, ADA is the simultaneous use of a car’s adaptive cruise control (ACC) to control speed and lane centering assistance (LCA) to control steering. ACC is an advanced form of cruise control that brakes or accelerates to keep the car a set distance from vehicles traveling ahead of you in your lane. LCA provides steering support to keep the vehicle at or near the center of the lane. Level 2 has been identified as using active lane control and adaptive cruise control at the same time, with the driver maintaining control of these functions even if their hands are off the wheel. The Super Cruise driver assistance technology uses Global Positioning System (GPS) sensing, GPS-enhanced data, a high-precision map and network of cameras to maintain automatic control of vehicle steering on compatible roads.

Dubbed Evrima, the line's only operating ship is a 298-passenger vessel designed to appeal to Ritz-Carlton regulars with an elegant, residential look. A second, bigger ship called Ilma that's already open for bookings debuts later this year. Its growing fleet of small expedition ships will take you everywhere from the Arctic to Papua New Guinea in style. Popular with middle-aged couples, retirees and multigenerational families, the "Love Boat" line's ships aren't as flashy (or big, for the most part) as those of Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, and that's just the way its customers like it.

Its six vessels carry just 148 to 342 passengers — fewer than fit on a single big-ship lifeboat — and are wonderfully intimate. This fast-growing line has dominated the world of river cruising for North Americans for years, and in the last few years, it's become a significant player in upscale ocean cruising as well. Viking's 80 river ships operate on just about every major river in the world, and its 10 ocean ships (up from just one in 2015) can be found in a growing number of destinations, too. Families, in particular, will love this line, due to all the family-friendly activities and venues on its vessels. Royal Caribbean ships sail everywhere in the world, but the line's heaviest presence is in the Caribbean and Europe.

Of all the systems I've tested, including earlier iterations of Tesla's Autopilot, Super Cruise fills dreams of safe, relaxed, open highway cruising. Iterations of Super Cruise with trailering support don't have the automatic lane change function, but do enable Super Cruise to work while towing. The difference in mapped miles is significant as well, since, unlike Tesla, Ford and GM will not let their systems engage unless it's part of the mapped database limited to divided highways such as interstates and state highways. GM claims more than 200,000 miles of mapped highways for hands-free driving in U.S. and Canada, and Ford claims to have 130,000 miles.

Ford has the capability to send over-the-air updates to enhance and expand the BlueCruise capabilities. To learn more about the BlueCruie features, see our article on ten exceptional features of the Ford Blue Bruise.

Among the highlight of its cruises in North America are stops at its new private island in the Bahamas, the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This much-beloved luxury line recently restarted operations under new owners after shutting down for 18 months. For years, it was considered the ultimate luxury cruise operator, and our take after sailing on Crystal Serenity after its relaunch is that the line is even better than before. But it recently announced plans to expand rapidly with four more ships over the next six years. Designed to be a cut above mainstream options such as Carnival while remaining relatively affordable, this Miami-based "premium" line is known for some of the most stylish big ships at sea.

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