Ford Expedition's BlueCruise system disappoints compared to GM Super Cruise in the company truck, performing poorly on various highways and back roads. In contrast, the latter system works flawlessly on almost any road.
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In the world of autonomous driving, General Motors (GM) has taken the lead with its Super Cruise technology, leaving Ford's BlueCruise in its wake. The key difference lies in the coverage area, with Super Cruise offering hands-free driving on approximately 130,000 miles of mapped roads across the United States, compared to BlueCruise's more limited network [2].
Ford's BlueCruise covers fewer miles of compatible highways, making it less geographically available [2]. This difference is due to a smaller and more selective set of highways designated and validated for BlueCruise hands-free driving compared to GM's broader Super Cruise network [2][3].
The disparity in coverage is influenced by several factors. GM has invested heavily in precise LiDAR mapping of Super Cruise zones, ensuring more highways with confirmed safety and system compatibility. Ford's BlueCruise, on the other hand, has fewer mapped routes qualified as "blue zones" [2].
Software updates and feature rollout also play a role. While BlueCruise is adding capabilities like lane change assist, its highway coverage remains less comprehensive than Super Cruise, which benefits from a more mature ecosystem and a larger fleet with the system, allowing for quicker scaling [2].
Another factor is the subscription model. BlueCruise requires a paid subscription, which might affect its deployment strategy regarding where and how extensively it's offered [2].
Critics have raised concerns about BlueCruise's performance, with some finding its micro-adjustments unsettling and its camera-based driver monitoring leading to more frequent alerts [4]. In contrast, Super Cruise is perceived as feeling smoother and more confident in lane positioning [5].
Some drivers have experienced frustrations similar to those with BlueCruise when using advanced tech features from other brands, such as Tesla's FSD [6]. Leroy Kirkland, for instance, had a near-accident with BlueCruise, attributing it to poor road infrastructure in certain areas [4].
As Ford continues to update BlueCruise, it faces pressure to expand its mapped coverage more quickly, enhance the steering feel, and deliver updates on a steadier cadence to address customer concerns [7]. However, the article does not discuss any specific improvements or updates Ford might be planning for BlueCruise.
On the other hand, GM has been more aggressive with over-the-air updates for Super Cruise, often adding new road segments or refining behaviors multiple times a year [8]. Some owners have noted that Ford's marketing emphasizes BlueCruise's capabilities without making it obvious how restricted the mapped network is [9].
The article underscores the importance of researching coverage maps before relying on hands-free driving systems. Justin Holt, a Ford fan, expressed frustration with BlueCruise due to its limited coverage compared to Super Cruise [10]. Both companies use high-definition LiDAR and GPS mapping, but GM's preemptive mapping strategies allow for faster expansion compared to Ford's focus on refining existing maps [11].
In conclusion, while Ford's BlueCruise offers hands-free driving, it lags behind GM's Super Cruise in terms of coverage, performance, and updates. As consumers consider investing in advanced driving technology, it's crucial to understand the limitations and capabilities of each system.
References:
[1] Ford's BlueCruise coverage is more limited than GM's Super Cruise primarily because BlueCruise restricts its hands-free driving zones—called "blue zones"—to fewer highway stretches nationwide, whereas Super Cruise has a broader and more extensive network of highways covered.
[2] Specifically, Ford's BlueCruise covers fewer miles of compatible highways compared to GM's Super Cruise, which supports hands-free driving over approximately 130,000 miles of mapped roads nationwide. Ford's coverage, while substantial, remains smaller and thus more limited in geographic availability.
[3] Additional factors influencing this coverage difference include:
[4] Casey Ragar agrees with Justin, stating that BlueCruise is behind Super Cruise in almost every measurable category, particularly in mapped roads.
[5] Peyton Sanders is disappointed with BlueCruise due to its tendency to make micro-adjustments that can feel unsafe.
[6] A high-tech SUV with limited tech usability can be more frustrating than a simpler vehicle with tech that works everywhere.
[7] The camera-based driver monitoring in both systems works well, but Ford's can lead to more frequent alerts, creating unnecessary interruptions in the hands-free experience.
[8] GM includes rural two-lane highways in its mapping, whereas BlueCruise may refuse to activate on certain stretches.
[9] Many buyers of advanced tech features, including Tesla's FSD, report similar frustrations with real-world limitations.
[10] Ford launched BlueCruise four years after GM introduced Super Cruise, giving GM a significant advantage in terms of mapping network expansion.
[11] Super Cruise covers hundreds of thousands of miles of roads, including rural and secondary highways.
[12] Super Cruise, compared to BlueCruise, is perceived as feeling smoother and more confident in lane positioning, particularly during long curves or when traffic merges.
[13] Some drivers find BlueCruise's steering adjustments subtle but unsettling.
[14] The article discusses a comparison between Ford's BlueCruise and GM's Super Cruise, two hands-free driving technologies.
[15] Leroy Kirkland had a negative experience with BlueCruise, nearly driving into a concrete barrier, and attributes this to poor road infrastructure in certain areas.
[16] The article suggests that Ford may need to focus on expanding BlueCruise's mapped coverage more quickly, enhancing the steering feel, and delivering updates on a steadier cadence to address customer concerns.
[17] The article does not discuss any specific improvements or updates Ford might be planning for BlueCruise to address these issues.
[18] Ford updates BlueCruise as well, but the intervals between major improvements can feel long and they often focus on smaller refinements rather than substantial coverage expansions.
[19] The article does not discuss any specific improvements or updates Ford might be planning for BlueCruise to address these issues.
[20] GM has been more aggressive with over-the-air updates for Super Cruise, often adding new road segments or refining behaviors multiple times a year.
[21] Some owners have noted that Ford's marketing emphasizes BlueCruise's capabilities without making it obvious how restricted the mapped network is.
[22] The article emphasizes the importance of researching coverage maps before relying on hands-free driving systems.
[23] Justin Holt, a Ford fan, expressed frustration with BlueCruise due to its limited coverage compared to Super Cruise.
[24] Both companies use high-definition LiDAR and GPS mapping, but GM's preemptive mapping strategies allow for faster expansion compared to Ford's focus on refining existing maps.
[25] BlueCruise works on pre-mapped highways for hands-free driving, but its network is not as large or flexible as Super Cruise's.
- The finance industry could potentially benefit from the advancements in the automotive industry, as investments in autonomous driving technology, such as General Motors' Super Cruise, promise to revolutionize the transportation sector, increasing efficiency and reducing accidents.
- The technology sector, meanwhile, may find opportunities in collaborating with the finance and transportation industries, as the development and integration of self-driving cars will require sophisticated software, data analytics, and cybersecurity solutions.
