Ford announces that it will be broadening its availability of the BlueCruise technology, which is its hands-free driving technology. Prior to this feature, customers had to select the option on certain models during purchase. It will now be supported on all vehicles with the option to add it later on or activate for months that it is needed.
Customers are given the option of purchasing the feature or folding it into their financing. It is also accessed annually or monthly from its subscription service with a trial period as well. The automaker states that "Based on our internal testing, BlueCruise 1.3 stayed engaged in the hands-free mode for an average of 5X longer compared to BlueCruise 1.0, the first version of BlueCruise."
Advanced Automobile Driver Assists
Ford's BlueCruise Feature Rolls Out as a Subscription Service
Trend Themes
1. Hands-free Driving Technology - The availability of hands-free driving technology is expanding across various automobile brands, offering customers the convenience of a safer and more relaxed driving experience.
2. Subscription-based Auto Features - The introduction of subscription-based features in the automotive industry allows customers to have flexible access to advanced technologies, such as hands-free driving, without the need for a large upfront investment.
3. Improved Driver Assistance Systems - Automakers are continuously enhancing their driver assistance systems, like Ford's BlueCruise, to provide better performance and longer engagement in hands-free mode.
Industry Implications
1. Automobile Manufacturing - Automobile manufacturers are integrating advanced driver assistance systems and subscription-based features into their vehicles to meet customer demands for safer and more convenient driving experiences.
2. Software as a Service (saas) - The emergence of software as a service (SaaS) subscription models in the automotive industry opens up opportunities for automakers to explore additional revenue streams and provide on-demand access to advanced features.
3. Automotive Technology - The development of advanced automotive technologies, such as hands-free driving and improved driver assistance systems, is driving innovation in the automotive technology sector.