BlueCruise 1.2 installed in F-150 -- review & hands-free driving video

[Spiffy]

Expiring in 2073? That's not good. Sounds like ford is giving up on any subscription revenue. Where is the incentive to keep developing better system like control light recognition or exit ramp steering? Unless.. Ford is moving to third party development and there is a totaly new autopilot coming out from Google or Android with a new name. Who would pay 600 for a sunsetted app?
I've been reading up on all the different autopilot sensors and how each manufacturer is deploying their version. It's amazing how quickly this technology is evolving. One min Tesla is on top then GM then ford and now with ver 11 Tesla may be winning hands down. There is a race between all the manufacturers to have the best.
First Tesla hates lidar. They use cameras only but processing power is higher than lidar. Ford uses a mix and is better on hiway than Tesla but can't do city . Tesla charges thousands. Ford is cheep. Then there is a dozen startup companies producing different schemes and pitching there ideas. It's hard to follow who uses what.

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[Jesse-Infotainment]

Expiring in 2073? That's not good. Sounds like ford is giving up on any subscription revenue. Where is the incentive to keep developing better system like control light recognition or exit ramp steering? Unless.. Ford is moving to third party development and there is a totaly new autopilot coming out from Google or Android with a new name. Who would pay 600 for a sunsetted app?
I've been reading up on all the different autopilot sensors and how each manufacturer is deploying their version. It's amazing how quickly this technology is evolving. One min Tesla is on top then GM then ford and now with ver 11 Tesla may be winning hands down. There is a race between all the manufacturers to have the best.
First Tesla hates lidar. They use cameras only but processing power is higher than lidar. Ford uses a mix and is better on hiway than Tesla but can't do city . Tesla charges thousands. Ford is cheep. Then there is a dozen startup companies producing different schemes and pitching there ideas. It's hard to follow who uses what.

They only did this as a band aid. The every three months was becoming an issue.

People werent getting the update and it was a huge issue. I had to fix it for MANY people and Ford finally did 2073 to prevent any expiration issues.

I doubt they will make it free.

 

[HammaMan]

They only did this as a band aid. The every three months was becoming an issue.

People werent getting the update and it was a huge issue. I had to fix it for MANY people and Ford finally did 2073 to prevent any expiration issues.

I doubt they will make it free.

Yeah, I'd bet it's a "well when should we make it expire" "50 years!" and there it is...

Now the question for those that received that update, disconnect the modem and have BC free in perpetuity?

 

[Aron]

Yeah, I'd bet it's a "well when should we make it expire" "50 years!" and there it is...

Now the question for those that received that update, disconnect the modem and have BC free in perpetuity?

I suppose that could work. However, receiving OTA updates is probably worth $200 per year, at least for me.

 

[FlyFish]

As I understand, that date refers only to the B.C. Handsfree road database, not an individuals subscription to B.C. The Subscription to the handsfree function is separate, but if the database is out of date, the function doesn't work (as experienced before this extended update). With 2073 now the date of the road database, the feature will work without needing a database update every three or so months and causing hiccups in the feature working if there isn't a significant update or they get behind. At least now it'll work while they sort out the updates they want and send them out. I'm VERY happy to see them take this approach.

If I'm not understanding correctly, please feel free to correct.

Really grateful for this forum and group of F-150 owners

 

[HammaMan]

As I understand, that date refers only to the B.C. Handsfree road database, not an individuals subscription to B.C. The Subscription to the handsfree function is separate, but if the database is out of date, the function doesn't work (as experienced before this extended update). With 2073 now the date of the road database, the feature will work without needing a database update every three or so months and causing hiccups in the feature working if there isn't a significant update or they get behind. At least now it'll work while they sort out the updates they want and send them out. I'm VERY happy to see them take this approach.

If I'm not understanding correctly, please feel free to correct.

Really grateful for this forum and group of F-150 owners

As far as I know that date as has been implemented was for the subscription. I've been following threads on people who got the nav database updated on the provider's side, but ford hasn't populated it on the vehicles after several months. At this point my speculation is that it was being used more for sub verification status and not an actual database change as the database isn't changing from what users who've submitted changes have said.

 

[FlyFish]

As far as I know that date as has been implemented was for the subscription. I've been following threads on people who got the nav database updated on the provider's side, but ford hasn't populated it on the vehicles after several months. At this point my speculation is that it was being used more for sub verification status and not an actual database change as the database isn't changing from what users who've submitted changes have said.

Okay good to know. Since they made the change it has been smooth sailing for me…still waiting for 1.2 though

 

[EBR]

 

[mc-mack]

How can you tell what version of BlueCruise you have currently ? Is that something displayed within Sync ? or do you need FDRS / or Forscan to check ?

 

[rugedraw]

How can you tell what version of BlueCruise you have currently ? Is that something displayed within Sync ? or do you need FDRS / or Forscan to check ?

ICE F150's only have 1.0 and there is no official statement from Ford that we will get the newer version(s). We all hope we will, but there is nothing official from Ford saying that we will get it.

 

[mc-mack]

OK Thanks, I have the 3.5 EcoBoost so mine falls in the ICE category....

 

[labjr1]

I just purchased a 2023 Powerboost yesterday and was hoping it came with 1.2. Of course the answer is it came with 1.0 which is disappointing. My previous truck was a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. It did not have "hands free" mode but would go about 6 minutes without the "hand on the wheel Nanny noticing. It stayed riot solid in the center of the lane and did not turn off unless it was an extremely sharp curve. The Hyundai actually was better than Bluecruise 1.0 because it turned off less even though it was not "hands free". Perhaps Bluecruise shines on long stretches of straight highway and I haven't hit those yet. I understand 1.2 does a much better job of adjusting to curves without disabling periodically.

 

[Ajzride]

I just purchased a 2023 Powerboost yesterday and was hoping it came with 1.2. Of course the answer is it came with 1.0 which is disappointing. My previous truck was a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz. It did not have "hands free" mode but would go about 6 minutes without the "hand on the wheel Nanny noticing. It stayed riot solid in the center of the lane and did not turn off unless it was an extremely sharp curve. The Hyundai actually was better than Bluecruise 1.0 because it turned off less even though it was not "hands free". Perhaps Bluecruise shines on long stretches of straight highway and I haven't hit those yet. I understand 1.2 does a much better job of adjusting to curves without disabling periodically.

1.0 is no better on long straight roads than curvy ones. It still cancels all the time for no apparent reason, even when the stripes are really new and clear. It randomly throws fits to resume control out of the blue by muting your stereo, flashing and beeping, and brake checking you.

At this point I've already joined the discord and doing hard core research on what it is going to take to get OpenPilot on the F150 because I've given up on Bluecruise.

 

[Antimatter22]

My truck handles most curves without issue. There's a curve on an overpass that's bumpy and it has no problem with it. I will say that every now and then it may disengage randomly only to re-enablle itself several seconds later. Overall if I have to manually intervene or take control of 10-15 miles of a 100 mile journey, that's a win in my book. Now if only we can get auto lane change...

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