🧔♂️ A friendly human may check it before it goes live. More news here
Ford to launch eyes-off driving EV in 2028
Ford plans to launch eyes-off driving technology in 2028, starting with a US$30,000 EV, the company announced at CES in Las Vegas.
The first vehicle with the technology will be built on Ford’s upcoming Universal EV platform, which will support a range of models.
Ford said the new system will use sensors and in-house software to reduce costs and aims to make the technology widely available.
The automaker also revealed plans for an AI assistant, set to launch via its apps in 2026, with in-car integration in 2027.
Ford currently offers BlueCruise, a Level 2 driver-assist system, and plans to debut its new features with the Universal EV platform.
The company is investing US$5 billion in US plants to produce vehicles and batteries, competing with Tesla, GM, and Rivian in advanced driver-assist systems.
🔗 Source: CNBC
🧠 Food for thought
Implications, context, and why it matters.
Ford’s eyes-off claim skips limits that define real use
- Ford announced eyes-off Level 3 (Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) conditional automation) launch in 2028 without defining the operational design domain (ODD) (the roads, speeds, and weather covered) or a regulatory path 1.
- Mercedes-Benz sells the only Level 3 system in the US (Drive Pilot) under limited conditions 2.
- GM plans a 2028 system for the Cadillac Escalade IQ (the electric version of its full-size SUV) using light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors 2. Ford has not shared its sensing plan 2. The end-to-end stack (an integrated software and sensor approach) can switch between cameras and other inputs 2.
- Ford sells BlueCruise Level 2 (SAE partial automation) for $50/month or $2,495 upfront 2. Pricing is unknown, so buyers cannot compare costs to rivals 2.
App makers can get ready for Ford’s 2027 refresh with AppLink
- Ford’s AI assistant debuts in mobile apps in 2026 and arrives in vehicles in 2027 3. AppLink uses the open-source SmartDeviceLink standard (a protocol that lets mobile applications talk to a car’s infotainment system) 4.
- The new vehicle brain arrives in 2027 1. It rolls infotainment and driver assistance with audio and networking into one compute module.
- You can use Ford’s developer program at SmartDeviceLink.com 5 with testing suites, online vehicle emulators, and self-validation tools before Ford’s review 6.
- AppLink ships in Ford vehicles worldwide and SYNC (Ford’s in-car infotainment system) supports 19 languages for distribution before the 2027 in-vehicle software platform launch 6.
