The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is conducting a formal investigation into Ford’s Blue Cruise hands-free driving system after two fatal crashes involving the technology. The investigation specifically focuses on Blue Cruise in Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs.
Blue Cruise allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel and feet off the pedals when driving on select highways. The system uses cameras, sensors and detailed map data to keep the vehicle in its lane and adjust its speed to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. An interior camera follows the driver to make sure they’re paying attention to the road.
Both accidents where the Blue Cruise system was in use occurred at night, resulting in at least one fatality in each incident. One accident happened in San Antonio and the other in Philadelphia. The investigation will also examine the system’s performance in driving the vehicle and its ability to monitor the driver.
Ford said it is cooperating with regulators on the investigation, but was not immediately available to comment on CNN’s request for a response. The investigation aims to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal collisions with the Blue Cruise system in Ford vehicles, including any potential issues with the software or hardware of the system, as well as any factors that may have contributed to these accidents such as driver error or poor weather conditions.