blue cruise ford uk

Ford launches hands-free driving on UK motorways

Published 14 April 2023
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Ford drivers will legally be able to take their hands off the wheel on the move after its BlueCruise technology has been approved in the UK.

Ministers have approved the "hands-off, eyes-on" technology for use on certain motorways.

It can control steering, acceleration and braking but a camera will monitor a driver's eyes so they stay alert.

The technology will only be available for 2023 models of Ford's electric Mustang Mach-E SUV at first.

It also means the model can keep a safe distance from other cars and even bring them to a complete stop in traffic jams.

Thatcham Research, an automotive research firm, said it was important to note that this is not a self-driving car but is "the next development in assisted driving technology".

"What makes it different, is that for the first time ever drivers will be permitted to take their hands off the wheel. However, their eyes must remain on the road ahead, " said Tom Leggett, vehicle technology specialist at Thatcham.

He added: "Crucially, the driver is not permitted to use their mobile, fall asleep or conduct any activity that takes attention away from the road."

Ford's car costs £50,830 and while the hands-off technology will be free for the first 90 days, drivers will then have to sign up for a monthly subscription.

Deliveries of the new model started last month. It has a maximum speed of 80mph and uses both cameras and sensors to detect lane markings and speed signs, as well as the position and speed of other cars on the road.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman said: "The latest advanced driver assistance systems make driving smoother and easier, but they can also help make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error."

Lisa Brankin, managing director of Ford in Britain and Ireland, also told the BBC's Today programme on Friday that the car will only take over when "the system feels it's safe" in certain "blue zones" that have been deemed as safe across 2,300 miles of pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland and Wales.

"If your eyes are closed, the car will prompt you to put hands onto the steering wheel and take control… It will keep prompting the driver and if they don't respond, the car will steadily slow down to a stop," she said.

She adds that in the case of accidents, the driver will still be fully responsible in insurance claims, as the technology is "not autonomous driving" and the driver is in control.

Ford's BlueCruise technology represents what's known as a "Level 2" driver assistance system, which still requires a human driver to take control should something go wrong.

There are six levels of autonomous driving, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers:

Level 0: Very little automation, with features providing some warnings or assistance like automatic braking
Level 1: Driver assistance, where the technology controls one aspect such as cruise control
Level 2: Partial automation, where two or more aspects of driving are controlled by technology, such as speed regulation and parking done by the car itself
Level 3: Conditional automation, where the technology makes nearly all decisions on the road, although the driver still needs to be present to override any potential mistakes. At this stage, drivers could take their eyes off the road for certain periods of time
Level 4: High automation, where technology does not require any human interaction in most circumstances. This is currently limited to certain areas where speed limits are low and roads are easy to read. This type of automation is currently restricted by regulation
Level 5: Full automation, where no assistance is needed from a human driver at all

In the US and Canada, Ford's technology has been available since 2021. It said that in the last couple of years, more than 190,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles have covered more than 60 million miles using the technology without any accidents reported.

Ford's BlueCruise is the first system approved for hands-free driving in the UK. It will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel, potentially for hundreds of miles, at speeds of up to 80mph on UK roads. But how advanced is it?

A number of cars today are at level 2 of vehicle autonomy. They can brake, steer and accelerate by themselves, but the driver must still be in control and paying attention at all times.

Ford's BlueCruise is still classified as level 2 - the same as Tesla's Autopilot, for example. That's because the driver still has to pay attention, and safeguards are in place to ensure they do.

The most advanced system currently on the market has been developed by Mercedes. Known as Drive Pilot, it allows the driver to take their hands off the wheel and concentrate on something else entirely - even watch videos.

But it will only work in specific 'geo-fenced' areas, and at limited speeds. It has not yet been approved for use in the UK, but is available in Germany and Nevada.

Tesla, which has been testing driverless cars in the US, recently issued a recall affecting 363,000 vehicles after safety officials raised concerns that it could allow drivers to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections unsafely.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said although the technological elements of assisted driving or lane positioning system will bring in "safety benefits", drivers must remain alert.

"It mustn't give drivers a false sense of security. Even with hands-free driving the driver remains in control of the machine", Mr King said.

What is Ford BlueCruise and is it legal in the UK?

October 20, 2023 by Jamie Edkins

What is Ford BlueCruise and how does it work?

When you boil it down, BlueCruise is essentially a more advanced version of adaptive cruise control. It uses a suite of cameras and sensors to monitor road markings, speed signs and the traffic around you, meaning it can steer to keep you in lane, keep you a safe distance from the car in front, keep to the posted speed limit and slow to a complete stop in traffic, all with no hands on the wheel.

Ford calls it “hands-off, eyes-on driving”, meaning that while you can drive hands-free, you have to be paying attention and ready to intervene if the system disengages. To make sure you are paying attention, the car is fitted with an infrared camera inside to monitor your eye movements and make sure you’re not distracted.

Is Ford BlueCruise legal in the UK?

BlueCruise is the first hands-free driver assistance technology to be approved for use on UK roads, but only on certain pre-mapped sections of motorway.

Ford calls these “Blue Zones”, and they cover 2,300 miles of roads in England, Scotland and Wales. In order to activate Blue Cruise, you must be within one of the designated Blue Zones, be watching the road and have your hands on the wheel. Once you leave a Blue Zone, the system will automatically disengage.

These designated zones cover 95% of motorways in the UK including the M25, M40, M5 and M1. You can see a map of all the Blue Zone routes on Ford’s website , and the list is being continually updated.

What cars are equipped with Blue Cruise?

Currently, just the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E is available with BlueCruise, although it’s likely to be available on other new models such as the Explorer in the future.

Check out Mat’s in-depth review of the Ford Mustang Mach-E…

You get a 90-day free trial of the system when you buy a new Mustang Mach-E, however after that it’s only available via subscription for £17.99 per month. As part of this fee, the Blue Zone map is updated over the air when new routes are available.

Fancy a new Mustang Mach-E with BlueCruise? Check out the latest offers available though carwow, or tap the button below to sell your car for what it’s really worth.

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FORD BLUECRUISE HANDS-FREE REACTIONS

Ford has become the first carmaker in Europe to get the green light for drivers to use a “hands-off, eyes-on” advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).

Drivers of enabled Mustang Mach-E vehicles built from 2023 Mach-E bluecruise can now use Bluecruise on over 20,000 miles of motorway – or ‘Blue Zones’ in Great Britain GB only & Germany only.

So, we invited some lucky UK drivers to get behind the wheel, hands-free, for the very first time. See how they reacted:

BlueCruise technology takes Driver Assistance Systems to the next level. It monitors road markings, speed signs and traffic conditions, and controls steering, acceleration and braking, while smoothly maintaining consistent distances to vehicles ahead.

The system can even adjust lane positioning to make the hands-free experience feel more natural by subtly shifting away from vehicles in adjacent lanes – something drivers tend to do intuitively when alongside larger trucks.

Using the sat-nav system, the technology can tell when a driver is on a stretch of over 20,000 miles of Blue Zone motorways across Great Britain & Germany. It works at a maximum speed of 80 mph and right down to a complete halt in traffic jams – helping free-flowing or stop-start traffic easier to negotiate.

Crucially, the system also uses infrared camera technology to carefully monitor the driver’s gaze and head position. The sophisticated camera can even see through sunglasses to check that driver attention is focused on the road ahead.

If the system detects inattention, warning messages are displayed in the instrument cluster, followed by audible alerts, brake activations, and finally slowing of the vehicle while maintaining steering control. Similar actions are performed if the driver fails to place their hands back on the steering wheel when prompted when leaving a Blue Zone.

“There’s a good reason why Ford BlueCruise is the first hands-free driving system of its kind to be cleared for use in a European country: We’ve proven that it can support the driver while still requiring that they keep their eyes on the road for their safety and that of their passengers."

Torsten Wey, chief engineer,

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Ford Europe

The first 90 days of BlueCruise are included with the vehicle purchase Ford BlueCruise subscription , after which, it’s only £17.99 per month. That means drivers can enable it around anticipated vehicle use – like holidays and road trips.

The system was validated during more than 100,000 miles of ADAS testing globally to make sure it can handle conditions drivers encounter every day – like worn-out lane markings, poor weather and roadworks. In the US and Canada, where over 100 million hands-free miles have already been driven in 193,000 BlueCruise-equipped Ford and Lincoln vehicles, the tech was recently named the Consumer Reports Top Rated Active Driving Assistance System , ahead of 11 other systems in the market.

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Mustang Mach-E

Ford BlueCruise: UK’s first legal hands-free driving tech arrives

It’s the first legal hands-free driving system to be available on cars sold in the uk.

Hands-free driving has been legal in the UK since 2021, but Ford has won the race in becoming the first manufacturer to offer the technology to customers - although it does come with some caveats.

Ford’s new BlueCruise technology allows drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel on certain ‘pre-mapped’ motorways in the UK. The system works at speeds up to 70mph, with radar and cameras monitoring road markings, signs, and changing traffic conditions. It also checks on the driver to ensure they’re paying attention to the road.

BlueCruise is already enabled on certain Ford models in the US and Canada, where the firm claims it has racked up 64 million miles using the technology. The system will be available on new Ford Mustang Mach-E models here in the UK.

Ford will sell the BlueCruise technology on a subscription basis. The first 90 days are included with the car and then it’ll be a £17.99 monthly fee.

Jesse Norman, UK Transport Minister said, “It is great news that Ford has chosen us for the European launch of its BlueCruise technology, and I am delighted that this country is once more at the forefront of innovation.”

It’s not the first time we’ve seen ‘driverless technology’ appear on UK roads. Tesla’s Autopilot is already available here, but that system requires the driver’s hands to be on the steering wheel at all times.

The UK’s Department for Transport has approved BlueCruise for 2,300 miles of motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. “Today marks a significant moment for our industry as Ford BlueCruise becomes the first hands-free driving system of its kind to receive approval for use in Great Britain,” said Lisa Brankin, managing director, Ford UK & Ireland.

Do you think hands-free driving technology should be allowed on UK roads? Have your say in the comments...

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

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Ford BlueCruise

Hands-free driving tech.

Ford is accelerating the future with BlueCruise. This is the latest in their Advanced Driver Assitance tech allowing for hand-free driving in safe areas.

Mustang Mach-E drivers get access to this cutting-edge technology which creates hands-free driving in designated ‘Blue Zones’.

Ford BlueCruise can be used on over 95% of the UK’s motorways. You can only use this technology in these designated Ford Blue Zones. Automatic updates sync these roads to your car so your Mustang Mach-E will always have the latest Blue Zones mapped out.

Hands off the wheel, eyes on the road

This advanced technology has been thoroughly tested over 100,000 miles of driving. Ford has also consulted the authorities for added peace of mind. BlueCruise uses the driver-facing camera in the instrument cluster to ensure you’re paying attention to the road ahead before commencing hands-free driving.

Adaptive Cruise Control

Ford BlueCruise uses Speed Sign Recognition, Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centring technologies for a safe drive. It adjusts your speed to match the current limit, slowing down if you go from a 70mph zone into a 50mph. It also actively keeps you in your lane by monitoring the lane markings.

Get a 90-day free trial of Ford BlueCruise

Every Mustang Mach-E car built from November 2022 is eligible for a 90-day free trial of BlueCruise. This is a saving of £17.99 a month!

All you have to do is sign into your Ford Account to get it rolling. Contact your local Group 1 Ford dealership to learn more about Ford BluieCruise.

Get in touch

Important Information

Imagery and information may not reflect the latest UK specifications.

Driver’s eyes must remain on the road ahead to enable safe use of Ford BlueCruise hands-free driving. It remains the driver’s responsibility to ensure safe driving at all times.

†Available in Great Britain only (excluding Northern Ireland). Available on Mustang Mach-E models built after 3rd November 2022.

††Must be switched on in settings to enable Ford BlueCruise.

*Ford BlueCruise subscription will auto-renew and you will be charged at the end of the 90-day period unless manually cancelled.

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Ford BlueCruise Hands-Free Driving Technology Approved for British Motorways

Ford has become the first car manufacturer to receive approval from the Department for Transport (DfT) to launch its “hands-off, eyes-on” advanced driver assistance system on pre-mapped motorways in Britain.

The Level 2 advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), Ford BlueCruise, is available for Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles as a subscription service, costing 17.99 GBP a month.

Before transitioning to hands-free driving, BlueCruise-equipped vehicles confirm that lane markings are visible, that the driver has their eyes on the road and that other conditions are appropriate

This system has already been used to drive 64 million hands-free miles in the US and Canada and can now be used on 2,300 miles of pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland and Wales.

Motorways are generally the easiest operational design domain to handle for vehicles that take over aspects of the driving task.

Jesse Norman, UK Transport Minister, said: It is great news that Ford has chosen us for the European launch of its BlueCruise technology, and I am delighted that this country is once more at the forefront of innovation. The latest advanced driver assistance systems make driving smoother and easier, but they can also help make roads safer by reducing scope for driver error.

Ford BlueCruise uses radars and cameras to monitor road markings, signs, speed and traffic conditions. It can control acceleration and braking – adaptive cruise control – as well as steering and consequently lane positioning while maintaining safe and consistent distances from other vehicles.

Operating up to a maximum speed of 80 mph (130 km/h), BlueCruise uses a combination of radars and cameras to detect and track the position and speed of other vehicles on the road

In addition, BlueCruise uses infrared camera technology to continually check driver attentiveness based on eye gaze and head pose. If the system detects inattention, warning messages are displayed, followed by audible alerts, brake activations and the slowing of the vehicle.

Martin Sander, General Manager, Ford Model e, Europe, said: It’s not every day that you can say you’ve placed one foot in the future, but Ford BlueCruise becoming the first hands-free driving system of its kind to receive approval for use in a European country is a significant step forward for our industry. Modern highways can be demanding even for the most confident drivers, and intimidating for many. BlueCruise can do some of the ‘heavy lifting’, to make highway driving less of a chore, and give drivers that little extra confidence and convenience.

Ford now anticipates that BlueCruise will be activated in further European countries when regulatory conditions allow. It will also roll out the system to further Ford vehicles in the next few years.

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TechCrunch Mobility: Cruise robotaxis return and Ford’s BlueCruise comes under scrutiny

Plus, a faraday future whistleblower case and humanoid robots in car factories.

Welcome back t o TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. Sign up here — just click TechCrunch Mobility — to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free.

It was another wild week in the world of transportation, particularly in the EV startup and automated driving industries. Sure, Cruise got our attention by announcing a return of sorts . But there’s a lot more to read about, including Indian ride-hailing giant Ola exiting the U.K., Australia and New Zealand ; a feature on a New York–based startup that wants to bring curbside EV charging to lampposts ; Uber Eats launching a TikTok-like video feature ; and contract manufacturer Magna piloting humanoid robots developed by Sanctuary AI .

Oh, one more thing — reporter Rebecca Bellan is back! I know readers missed her, so show her a bit of love by sending her some tips at [email protected] .

Let’s go!

A little bird

Founders, investors, engineers, policy wonks and others tell us things. And we’re here to pass along the verifiable information that those little birds have shared with us.

Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at [email protected] , Sean O’Kane at [email protected] or Rebecca Bellan at [email protected] . If you prefer to remain anonymous , click here to contact us , which includes SecureDrop ( instructions here ) and various encrypted messaging apps.

Deal of the week

Just a bunch of deals this week!

Basemark , a Finnish company that developed AR and computer vision software used by automakers, raised €22 million ($23.6 million) in a Series B round led by ETF Partners. Other backers include Finnish Industry Investment, Constructor Capital, Business Finland, the European Innovation Council and private investors.

Bumper , an automotive fintech startup sector, raised £2 million in a Series B extension round that included backing from Suzuki Global Ventures and Marubeni Ventures.

Carrar , an Israeli startup that provides battery modules and thermal management systems for EVs, raised $5.3 million in a Series A round that included new investors Salida B.V., OurCrowd, and NextGear, as well as current backers Gentherm, NextLeap Ventures, Dive Digital and others.

Exoes , a French-based startup that developed battery cooling technology for EVs, raised €35 million ($37.5 million) from BpiFrance and Meridiam Green Impact Growth Fund.

HysetCo SAS , a startup that rents hydrogen-powered EVs to taxi drivers in Paris, raised nearly €200 million ($218 million) in a round led by Hy24. Raise Impact and Eiffel Investment Group also participated.

Yoshi Mobility , a Nashville-based startup that developed an app to offer drivers preventative maintenance, virtual vehicle inspections and electric vehicle charging, raised $26 million in a Series C round led by General Motors Ventures. Bridgestone Americas, Universal Motors Agencies and Shikra Limited also participated.

Notable reads and other tidbits

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the driver of a Ford Mustang Mach-E who crashed into a stationary car in Texas in February was using the hands-free driver-assistance system known as BlueCruise. This is the first known fatality resulting from a crash involving the use of BlueCruise. The NTSB announcement came a day after the safety board announced it’s probing a second fatal crash near Philadelphia where Ford’s driver-assistance system may have been active.

Autonomous vehicles

GM’s self-driving car subsidiary Cruise is back. Sort of. The company is redeploying robotaxis , but not in its home city of San Francisco. Instead, Cruise is setting up shop in Phoenix and all of its autonomous vehicles will be driven manually by employees. Here’s the odd part: Cruise says it will be creating maps and gathering road information in Phoenix, a city where it has had a presence (and has driven autonomously) since at least 2020. That means it has mapped these roads before.

Going all the way back to mapping has me a bit confused. Is this theater or does Cruise see a need to restart its entire process due to concerns about the underlying technology?

Cruise has also petitioned California regulators to reinstate its permits to operate in San Francisco. Will we see the company mapping its hometown yet again, or will it jump back in with a robotaxi service?

Meanwhile, Waymo officially launched paid rides in Los Angeles this week. We previously reported on California regulators’ approval of the Alphabet-owned company to charge for its robotaxi service in the city. The service is starting out small and will build based on demand and performance metrics, a Waymo spokesperson told TechCrunch.

Electric vehicles, charging & batteries

Elon Musk’s decision to green-light a robotaxi over an affordable EV might cost the company its lead, TC reporter Tim De Chant writes.

Exponent Energy , the Indian battery-tech company that claims to have developed 15-minute charging technology, has partnered with auto manufacturer Omega Seiki Mobility to deliver a passenger three-wheel EV with those rapid-charging capabilities.

Faraday Future is now grappling with two internal whistleblowers . Both former employees have filed lawsuits claiming the troubled EV company has been lying about some of the few sales it has announced to date. They also claim founder Jia Yueting has “weaponized” the EV startup’s HR department to retaliate against anyone who speaks up about these alleged misrepresentations.

Lucid Motors delivered more EVs in the first quarter of 2024 than it has in any other quarter, though it set the record by a very slim margin.

Tesla dropped the monthly subscription price of its “Supervised FSD” (formerly known as “FSD Beta”) to $99, down from $199, in a bid to get more dollars and data from drivers.

Lyft and Uber said they will pause on their planned exit from Minneapolis after city officials decided to delay the start of a driver pay raise by a couple of months.

Miscellaneous

Check out this deep dive into Neural Concept , a company that’s using AI to help engineers make more aerodynamic vehicles for racing, automotive and aerospace industries.

This week’s wheels

Image Credits: Kirsten Korosec

I’m back in a Mercedes EV, this time a 2024 Mercedes EQE 350 4MATIC . The model retails at $77,900, not including the destination fee. The version I drove came in at $97,615, due to all sorts of options, like a 10-degree rear axle steering system, head-up display, air suspension, AMG exterior and a $1,250 driver-assistance system.

There are a number of improvements from the previous model year, including a new braking system, a heat pump to help improve driving efficiency in winter conditions, a 20-mile improvement in battery range, 20-inch wheels, power opening port door for charging and a better user interface (in my opinion) on the central infotainment.

What I really wanted to try was the advanced driver-assistance system, and specifically the automatic lane change feature, which I had yet to test.

Within the infotainment center, the driver can choose either “manual” or “automatic” lane change options. When the automatic feature is selected and the ADAS is on, the vehicle will make automatic lane changes without driver input. Here’s how it works. I was driving in the right lane on the highway with ADAS engaged. As the car approached slower traffic, an arrow appeared on the instrument cluster (see photo), the system turned my indicator on and then made the lane change. This can be overridden by holding the steering wheel and keeping it in the lane.

My thoughts? The system worked seamlessly and I could see using it on occasion. The question is whether drivers want to cede that kind of control.

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What is Ford BlueCruise *

BlueCruise allows for true hands-free driving on prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands-Free Blue Zones that make up over 130,000 miles of North American roads.

BlueCruise uses blue lighting on the digital instrument cluster to indicate when the vehicle is in a hands-free zone.

How BlueCruise Works

BlueCruise builds upon available Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering and Speed Sign Recognition . It allows you to operate your vehicle hands-free while you are monitored by a driver-facing camera to make sure you are keeping your eyes on the road, with the potential for more enhancements in the future.

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Access the interactive map of Hands-Free Blue Zone .

Additional Information

What are some frequently asked questions about Bluecruise? What is Active Park Assist 2.0? What is Lane Centering? What is Reverse Brake Assist?

* Feature is available on select vehicles. Features may vary based on model year, trim, options, packages, and supply availability. Use the Build and Price tool to view feature availability on current models. If you have questions or need more information, reference your Owner’s Manual or contact your Ford Dealer . Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment, and need to control the vehicle. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.

BlueCruise is a hands-free highway driving feature. Only remove hands from the steering wheel when in a Hands-Free Zone. Always watch the road and be prepared to resume control of the vehicle. It does not replace safe driving. See your Owner's Manual for detail and limitations. Requires Ford Connect activation through the FordPass ® App (see FordPass Terms for details ) and a FordPass Member Account. Connected services and features depend on compatible AT&T network availability. Evolving technology/cellular networks/vehicle capability may limit functionality and prevent the operation of connected features. FordPass App, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply.

** Model Year 2021 vehicles with the BlueCruise Prep Package known as (Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package) was for the first vehicles that did not ship from the factory with BlueCruise installed and received the software at a later date.

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Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver assist under investigation after two fatal crashes

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating two fatal crashes involving two separate Ford Mustang Mach-Es crashing into stationary vehicles, where three people have died. In at least one of the crashes, Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist system was activated at the time of the crash, while the second one is under preliminary investigation. Here’s what happened.

The first fatality occurred in San Antonio, Texas, after a 44-year-old Mustang Mach-E driver using the driver assist system crashed into a stationary Honda, killing the 56-year-old driver. Another Mach-E driver was involved in a fatal crash in Philadelphia on March 3, although it’s not known yet if the BlueCruise played a role.

The incident in Texas involved a driver of a 2022 Mach E striking a 1999 Honda CR-V that was stopped in the middle lane of I-10 with no lights at around 9:50 p.m. – a challenging scenario for any oncoming vehicle. The second accident near Philadelphia, which killed two people, involved a Mach-E that hit two stationary vehicles on Interstate 95 at 3:13 a.m. on March 3. Both drivers of the stationary cars were killed, and one of the victims may have been standing outside of their car, the Associated Press reports.

In regards to the February crash, the NTSB states that “based on the data obtained from the vehicle, the driver had been operating the vehicle in BlueCruise mode before the crash.”

While the Honda driver died, the Mustang driver sustained minor injuries, and police found no signs of intoxication. According to the NTSB report, a witness who had been traveling in the center lane in front of the Mach-E reported that she saw the Honda in the center lane and that the car had no tail or hazard lights illuminated. After changing lanes to avoid hitting the car, she then saw another vehicle crash into the Honda. The NTSB released a preliminary report on its investigation, with the final report likely to be published in a year or two.

Top comment by Martin Winlow (Electric Martin)

Why don't people read the information they have to hand and then use their intelligence and life-experience to consider the situation at hand before leaping to a ( usually hysteria-based) conclusion and condemning an entire nascent industry with the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives every year to the scrap heap?

Like so many Tesla incidents that have been reported over the years (usually with screaming headlines - especially those involving stationary emergency vehicles) this is clearly a scenario which would have caught out just about any average human driver.

Car A is following car B (too closely, as completely usual). Car A comes across car C in unusual situation eg (as in this case) in the middle lane of a large highway, stationary without lights, during hours of darkness. Car A's driver manages (just) to swerve to an adjacent lane avoiding a collision wth car C; car B does not have enogh time to react (due to following car A too closely) and collides with car C.

This is such a common scenario, I simply cannot understand what all the hullabalo is about. Can remind readers that 40 THOUSAND people die on the roads of the US every year ?!

Indeed, if you take vehicular autonomy to its natural conclusion, cars A and B in the above scenario would never have even come close to colliding with car C because they would have learned via WWW before they actually encountered it that car C was there and would have changed lanes in good time to avoid any danger.

BlueCruise is Ford’s marquee driver assist system, which enables hands-free driving on some highways. Ford doesn’t promote the system as autonomous driving, and drivers, while allowed to take their hands off the wheel and feet off the pedals, are required to keep their eyes peeled at all times and be ready to take control of the car. This is enforced with a driver monitoring system that deactivates BlueCruise if the driver looks to be distracted or sleepy.

Surveys have shown that people often over-rely on ADAS, treating them as fully automated driving systems, with their reaction times slower than what is considered safe when it’s time to take back control.

The NHTSA has spent nearly three years investigating more than a dozen accidents involving Tesla drivers using Autopilot. This is the first investigation into Ford’s ADAS, but as with Tesla, as more of these are on the road, more crashes and investigations will surely take place. Tesla, for its part, recently settled a lawsuit bought on by the family of Apple engineer Walter Huang, who died when his Model X crashed using Autopilot in 2018.

While GM’s Super Cruise is usable in more places, the BlueCruise is considered one of the best available , and the crash is notable because it is the first to involve a hands-free driving assist available to the public. Also, Ford offers other passive safety features, such as Co-Pilot360 with forward collision warning and emergency brake and steering assist to avoid obstacles, so this news potentially points to failures in those systems as well.

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Jennifer is a writer and editor for Electrek. Based in France, she has worked previously at Wired, Fast Company, and Agence France-Presse. Send comments, suggestions, or tips her way via X (@JMossalgue) or at [email protected].

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Driver in fatal Texas crash was using Ford’s auto driving system, officials say

Investigators say data from electric Mustang Mach E shows ‘Blue Cruise’ was in use when SUV struck a stopped car in San Antonio

The driver of a Ford electric SUV involved in a February fatal crash in Texas was using the company’s partially automated driving system before the wreck, federal investigators said on Thursday.

Data from the 2022 Mustang Mach E SUV showed that Ford’s “Blue Cruise” driver-assist system was in use ahead of the 24 February crash, according to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The crash is one of two recent fatal wrecks involving Ford Mustang Mach Es that are under investigation by the NTSB and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which often send teams to investigate incidents involving automated technology.

The NTSB can only make recommendations, but NHTSA has the authority to take action, including seeking recalls for safety issues.

In both cases, the Mach Es hit vehicles stopped on freeways at night, and neither the driver nor the system were able to prevent the collisions. Ford says on its website that its driving systems do not replace human drivers, who have to be ready to take control at any time.

A company spokesperson would not comment on the NTSB report on Thursday, deferring to a previous statement saying that Ford is cooperating in the investigations.

The Texas crash occurred on Interstate 10 in San Antonio. The NTSB report says the Mach E struck the rear of a 1999 Honda CR-V that was stopped in the middle of three lanes around 9.50pm. The 56-year-old driver of the CR-V was killed.

Another driver who was able to avoid the CR-V told investigators that neither its tail nor hazard lights were working at the time.

The agency said it intends to issue safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes. It has said it opened the inquiry due to continued interest in advanced driver assistance systems and how vehicle operators interact with the new technology.

The other crash involving a Mach E killed two people around 3.20am on 3 March in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania state police said on Thursday that a Mach E was in the left lane when it struck a stationary Hyundai Elantra that earlier had collided with a Toyota Prius.

The Mach E hit the Hyundai, pushing it into the rear of the Prius. During the crash, the driver of the Prius, who was outside his vehicle, also was struck and thrown into the southbound lanes, the release said.

A police spokesperson said a person from the Hyundai was also on the roadway and was hit. Both victims, males aged 21 and 20, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A police news release on the crash says a criminal investigation is under way and a charge of homicide by motor vehicle while driving under the influence is possible against the 23-year-old woman driving the Mach E.

Ford’s Blue Cruise system allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel while it handles steering, braking and acceleration on highways. The company says the system isn’t fully autonomous and it monitors drivers to make sure they pay attention to the road. It operates on 97% of controlled access highways in the US and Canada, Ford says.

There are no fully autonomous vehicles for sale to the public in the US. Last year, General Motors’ Cruise self-driving car unit recalled all 950 of its cars following an accident in which one of its vehicles struck and dragged a pedestrian in San Francisco.

Both NHTSA and the NTSB have investigated multiple previous crashes involving partially automated driving systems, most involving Tesla’s Autopilot.

Tesla recently settled a lawsuit over a 2018 crash that killed an Apple engineer. In that case, Tesla maintained that the driver had failed to stay alert and take over driving before the crash. The settlement may have provided a blueprint for others suing over Autopilot.

Other companies have also struggled with attempts to produce self-driving or partially autonomous cars. Apple canceled its decade-long, multibillion-dollar effort to build a self-driving electric car earlier this year, following numerous setbacks in the program.

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Wrecked Ford Mustang Mach-E with extensive front damage and Honda CR-V with extensive rear damage after a fatal crash on an Interstate

Ford’s hands-free BlueCruise comes under scrutiny after fatal crash

A mustang mach-e owner crashed into a honda, killing the driver, and now the company’s hands-free driver-assist system is under investigation..

By Andrew J. Hawkins , transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State.

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The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an incident involving Ford’s hands-free driver-assist system after a Mustang Mach-E driver crashed into another vehicle in Texas, killing the occupant. A second fatal crash involving a Mach-E took place in Philadelphia, although it’s not known whether the driver-assist system played a role. Both crashes involved Mach-Es crashing into stationary vehicles.

The first incident took place at 9:50PM on February 24th outside of San Antonio, Texas. According to a preliminary report from NTSB, the 44-year-old driver of the Mustang Mach-E was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 when he rear-ended a stationary Honda CRV. The 56-year-old Honda driver was killed in the crash.

“Based on data obtained from the vehicle, the driver had been operating the vehicle in BlueCruise mode before the crash,” NTSB states.

BlueCruise is Ford’s hands-free driver-assist system, in which the vehicle uses cameras and sensors to control the steering, acceleration, and braking on certain mapped highways.

But while drivers can take their hands off the steering wheel and their feet off the pedals, they need to keep their eyes on the road and be ready to take control at a moment’s notice. Ford said that BlueCruise-equipped vehicles have already traveled over 100 million miles.

A second incident occurred in Philadelphia on March 3rd. The Ford vehicle collided with a Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius, both of which were stationary in travel lanes on I-95 and were struck from behind, according to NTSB. Both drivers of the stationary cars were killed, and one may have been outside of their vehicle, according to The Associated Press .

“Based on data obtained from the vehicle, the driver had been operating the vehicle in BlueCruise mode before the crash.”

“There is no priority higher than safety at Ford, and we have been collaborating fully with both National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) as the investigation into the February 24 incident continues,” Ford spokesperson Whitney Pineda said in a statement on the February 24th crash. “Timing on a full report has not been announced.”

On the March 3rd crash, Pineda said, “Ford was recently made aware of this incident via the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and have informed the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA) as required. We are researching the events of March 3 and collaborating fully with both agencies to understand the facts. We extend our sympathies to those involved.”

This is the first investigation into Ford’s ADAS, which has been available since 2021. NTSB, which is an independent investigatory body under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, has opened dozens of investigations into fatal crashes involving Tesla’s Autopilot — but that is mostly a function of more Tesla vehicles on the road with advanced driver assist systems than Ford.

But as more BlueCruise-equipped Ford vehicles hit the road, it stands to reason there will be more crashes — and more investigations. Surveys show that many people have difficulty distinguishing between ADAS and fully automated driving systems, which can lead to overconfidence in the technology. And there is compelling evidence that most driver-assist systems are less safe than normal human driving. Drivers tend to develop an overreliance on these systems even after a short period of use. And when it’s time to take back control of the vehicle, their reaction times are slower than what’s considered safe.

The federal government requires companies to report instances of crashes involving advanced driver assist , but there is currently no law prohibiting hands-free driving systems. Most companies put the legal liability on the driver when it comes to crashes involving these systems, arguing that they still need to pay attention to the road when the driver assist is engaged. But Tesla recently settled a lawsuit brought by the family of a man killed when his Autopilot-equipped vehicle crashed into a concrete divider.

NASA confirms origin of space junk that crashed through Florida home

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TechCrunch Mobility: Cruise robotaxis return and Ford's BlueCruise comes under scrutiny

TechCrunch Mobility: Cruise robotaxis return and Ford’s BlueCruise comes under scrutiny Plus, a Faraday Future whistleblower case and humanoid robots in car factories Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. Sign up here — just click TechCrunch Mobility — to receive the newsletter every weekend in your inbox. Subscribe for free. It was another wild week in the world of transportation, particularly in the EV startup and automated driving industries. Sure, Cruise got our attention by announcing a return...

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Driver of electric Ford SUV was using automated system before fatal Texas crash, investigators say

DETROIT — The driver of a Ford electric SUV involved in a February fatal crash in Texas was using the company’s partially automated driving system before the wreck, federal investigators said Thursday.

Data from the 2022 Mustang Mach E SUV showed that Ford’s “Blue Cruise” driver-assist system was in use ahead of the Feb. 24 crash, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The crash is one of two recent fatal wrecks involving Ford Mustang Mach Es that are under investigation by the NTSB and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which often send teams to probe incidents involving automated technology.

The NTSB can only make recommendations, but NHTSA has the authority to take action including seeking recalls for safety issues.

A company spokeswoman wouldn’t comment on the NTSB report Thursday, deferring to a previous statement saying that Ford is cooperating in the investigations.

The Texas crash occurred on Interstate 10 in San Antonio. The NTSB report says the Mach E struck the rear of a 1999 Honda CR-V that was stopped in the middle of three lanes around 9:50 p.m. The 56-year-old driver of the CR-V was killed.

Another driver who was able to avoid the CR-V told investigators that neither its tail nor hazard lights were working at the time.

The agency said it intends to issue safety recommendations to prevent similar crashes. It has said it opened the probe due to continued interest in advanced driver assistance systems and how vehicle operators interact with the new technology.

The other crash involving a Mach E killed two people around 3:20 a.m. March 3 in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday that a Mach E was in the left lane when it struck a stationary Hyundai Elantra that earlier had collided with a Toyota Prius.

The Mach E hit the Hyundai, pushing it into the rear of the Prius. During the crash, the driver of the Prius, who was outside of his vehicle, also was struck and thrown into the southbound lanes, the release said.

A police spokeswoman said a person from the Hyundai also was on the roadway and was hit. Both victims, males ages 21 and 20, were pronounced dead at the scene.

There are no fully autonomous vehicles for sale to the public in the U.S.

Both NHTSA and the NTSB have investigated multiple previous crashes involving partially automated driving systems, most involving Tesla’s Autopilot. In past investigations, the NTSB has examined how the system functioned.

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Driver of electric Ford SUV was using automated system before fatal Texas crash, investigators say

FILE - A Ford sign is seen at a dealership in Springfield, Pa., April 26, 2022. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a March 3, 2024, crash near Philadelphia that killed two people and involved a Ford electric vehicle that may have been operating on a partially automated driving system. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

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DETROIT (AP) — The driver of a Ford electric SUV involved in a February fatal crash in Texas was using the company’s partially automated driving system before the wreck, federal investigators said Thursday.

The NTSB can only make recommendations, but NHTSA has the authority to take action including seeking recalls for safety issues.

A company spokeswoman wouldn’t comment on the NTSB report Thursday, deferring to a previous statement saying that Ford is cooperating in the investigations.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jason Foley throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Another driver who was able to avoid the CR-V told investigators that neither its tail nor hazard lights were working at the time.

The other crash involving a Mach E killed two people around 3:20 a.m. March 3 in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday that a Mach E was in the left lane when it struck a stationary Hyundai Elantra that earlier had collided with a Toyota Prius.

A police spokeswoman said a person from the Hyundai also was on the roadway and was hit. Both victims, males ages 21 and 20, were pronounced dead at the scene.

There are no fully autonomous vehicles for sale to the public in the U.S.

Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

Moscow: question for those who have gone from St Petersburg

By Wayfairers , August 22, 2019 in Northern Europe & Baltic Sea

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On 8/22/2019 at 9:28 AM, Wayfairers said: I have read many of the threads that discuss whether or not Moscow is worth the expense and long day, especially when there are only 2 days in port. I realize there are two strong opinions from people with one side saying it is worth it and the other side says stay in St Petersburg. We have decided to go Moscow on day 1 of our visit. So, those who have done the long trip to Moscow....did you go with the cruise ship or a private guide? If a private guide, who and would you recommend them? Did you take the train both ways or fly one direction?

Been to Moscow several times. We have used the Sapsan both ways and have also flown both ways - never a combo of the train/plane. We enjoyed the Sapsan more than the flight. We have NOT travelled to Moscow when arriving by cruise ship so have no comment on your particular situation regarding a one day tour with only 2 days in St. Pete. Good luck - hope the visit meets your expectations.

Thanks for the info. Good to know you enjoyed the train more than the plane - I would expect we would too as flying is typically more hassle than taking the train.

We decided to book the trip to Moscow with the cruise ship after learning that if we miss the train or plane we don’t get a refund in addition to missing Moscow. And, I’ve had friends who’s ship missed the St Petersburg stop due to weather.

Moscow is a great city but I would rather spend all two days in St Petersburg. Some years ago we had almost a week there and still it doesn’t seem enough. We also had one day in Moscow and the journey arranged by the local travel agency was well organized and comfortable. In a view of time restrictions of the journey (we spent almost 8 hours on the train and just 6-7 hours in the city) one day in Moscow still felt a little rushed. Anyway, enjoy planning your trip and hope you have a great time in Russia!

Just make sure the day you are going to Moscow, it is not one of their holidays or even a day before a holiday.

Moscow is an amazing city but it is frustrating when Red Square is closed for parades, etc.... It is hard to determine when they close it but it is definitely closed for their holidays. When it is closed - you can only walk around the exterior of the square and look in.

Thanks! I will check. We are in Moscow May 16. I know May 9 is a holiday.

AngelDisney

I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred.

1 hour ago, AngelDisney said: I have 2 days in St. Petersburg and am thinking about this possibility. I think it’s hard to do this with 2 days. The first day will take longer time to go ashore because of the immigration process. The second day is not possible due to the early all abroad time. It seems that it’s only worth doing it if there are 3 days in St. Petersburg especially when a full day of touring in Moscow is preferred.

For 2 days - spend the time in St. Petersburg. There is so much to see there. Save this for a 2nd trip.

When we were in St. Petersburg we were also very interested in visiting Moscow. We were already in Russia why not visit as much places as we could, right? We used Anastasia Travel for our St. Petersburg tour and also asked them to include Moscow. They were very helpful and were very much willing to arrange a day trip to Moscow for us but they suggested we just stay in St. Petersburg since we only had 2 days. They were kind enough to explain that we would just waste time and money if me push through with the Moscow trip. We would spend more time on the train instead of using the time to explore and enjoy the sights. They were actually correct and we ended up enjoying a wonderful 2-day tour in St. Petersburg. I guess we'll have to go back to see Moscow and make sure to stay longer!

angie7911922

When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel. This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

9 hours ago, angie7911922 said: When we went to St Petersburg we had the same dilemma. We decided not to go to Moscow and didn’t regret it one bit. There is so much to see! If you spend the 2 days in St Petersburg you can go and see Peterhof Palace on one of the days. We were on a Princess cruise and like flowslow, we booked our private tours with Katharina from Anastasia Travel. This way we used our time to the fullest to see as much as possible at our pace with a personal guide. (We are not fond of the big group tours from the cruise lines).

We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

On 9/1/2019 at 8:09 PM, AngelDisney said: We have two days and decided only staying in SPB for both days. We are thinking of forming a private tour with other cruisers on another forum as the CC roll call for that cruise is so quiet. We are looking into Anastasia Travel as well. Very excited to go!

Great idea to form a small group!! Have a fantastic time and I am sure you wont regret that decision!!

luvtravel88

I'm not sure about customs when coming in on a cruise ship. We were told that if we wanted to leave the ship, we would have to be on a tour, either a ships tour or private tour. I know we had to show our tour tickets at customs to be allowed to go further. We chose Alla tours and they were fantastic. We were docked in St. Petersburg for 3 days and we did go to Moscow on the Capsan train on the 2nd day. It was a VERY long day. We had to meet our group at 6:00am and were on the train at 7:00am. We arrived back at to our cabin at 1:30am the next day. It was a wonderful day and we're so glad we went but if we were in St. Petersburg for only 2 days, I probably wouldn't spend a day in Moscow. It is a 4 hour train ride each way, and if you need to be back to the ship to depart, it may not leave you much time in Moscow. The 8 hours we spent there, wasn't nearly enough. Traffic is horrible and we ended up getting off our bus and taking the subway to Red Square. Those 8 hours allowed us a tour of Red Square, which was phenomenal as well as a quick walk through GUM department store and a ride on the subway with several stops to see the mosaics, sculptures and chandeliers that are in the corridors of the subway stops.

But.....there is so much to see in St. Petersburg , the 2 days we spent there, were a whirl.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. I had organized the tour with Alla and had advertised it on our cruise forum here at Cruise Critic. There were 12 of us and we met up on the ship each morning and went through customs together so we all met the tour bus at the same time. That was very helpful!

The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

16 minutes ago, luvtravel88 said: . Whatever you decide to do, be sure you're in line to get off the ship before the ship arrives in port. We were in line an hour early and there were still about 20 people ahead of us. We found that the cruise ship allowed their tour groups to get off the ship first, so when we got to customs, the lines were outrageous. It took us about an hour in line and we were late starting our tour. ! The lines the first day were the worst and days 2 and 3 went much more quickly. Also, everyone was getting off the ship at the same time on Day 1, but tours met and left at different times on Days 2 and 3.

This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg.

25 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: This is one of the reasons that we decided to use the cruise ship to go to Moscow our first day in St Petersburg.

I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right?

Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow.

It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit. 😉

4 hours ago, dogs4fun said: I believe that the ship tours to Moscow go via air, right? Yes, as others have noted, there is MUCH to see in Saint Petersburg and in spending a week there one will barely scratch the surface - the same is true for Moscow. It sounds like you want to get a "taste" of both cities - don't allow anyone to "throw water" on your plans as you best know what you want to do. You can always return for an extended visit. 😉

No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something. You are right...we just want a taste of both cities. In fact, that is what we get from all cruise port stops - just a taste. We are never there long enough to the see the area completely.

2 hours ago, Wayfairers said: No, our ship tour is going by train there and back unless I misread something.

Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

16 hours ago, dogs4fun said: Interesting - I thought that the ship tours flew to Moscow when in port for only 2 days. Hope you will post upon return and let us know how it went.

Double checked and it says we go to Moscow on the high speed train. Come back the same way. From all I’ve read it takes a little longer (ship to Moscow sites) to fly than to take the train.

I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning).

Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?

4 minutes ago, napoxoguk said: I've been thinking about that - and I might be wrong, but it seems to me an SPB-Moscow combo over a 3-day cruise is one of the few remaining cases where obtaining a full-fledged Russian visa actually makes sense (especially for families/groups and especially if one is willing to do some DIY trip planning). Just to make sure, though - for those staying on the ship, is there some kind of curfew, or are you able to come and go as you please?

If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

6 minutes ago, dogs4fun said: If you have a Russian visa there is no curfew - you may come and go as you wish. In fact, if you so choose, you can spend the entire time in the city (staying at a hotel in either Moscow or St. Petersburg) rather than returning to your ship each evening - but ONLY if you have a visa.

That is what my research shows too. A quick google search showed the tourist visas for US citizens are $160. I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa. We’ve gotten most of the visas that are a pain to get and I’m tired of doing that.

2 minutes ago, Wayfairers said: I’m willing to pay for a tour rather than get the visa

I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers.

I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

For a regular SPB-only itinerary, visa doesn't seem to make sense - not only price-wise, but also from the standpoint of convenience - all the local operators have their itineraries down to a science.

With Moscow, though, it's not so clear-cut.

I found that most of the tour operators will give you a tour but no guarantee that you make it to Moscow because you will miss the train if debarkation is too slow. I found one tour that offers a 2 day tour with a flight to Moscow day 1 and train back and St Petersburg day 2. Seriously considered them. I briefly thought about getting a visa and spending the night in Moscow but never priced everything out. If you look into that I would love to see what you find. Probably not for us though because I want to see some of both cities.

2 hours ago, napoxoguk said: I understand. Ru visa process can be expensive and time consuming, especially if you live far away from one of the visa centers. I'm just trying to come up with a reasonably conservative number - what can one realistically expect to pay for a mad 1-day Moscow dash if they go DIY.

I have visited Russia multiple times. I received my latest 3 year visa in May and here are the associated costs:

Single/Double/Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee = $50

Total = $248 (this is your total if you apply in person at one of the 4 consulates located in the USA - since I don't live near a Russian consulate, I must use the more costly mail option)

SO ... here is what I actually paid:

Multiple entry visa, consular fee = $198

Visa Center Processing fee by mail = $120

Return shipping/handling fee = $35

Total = $353

Totally worth the fee as I spend multiple weeks in Russia yearly and prefer DIY - personally, I would not consider a visa if it was a one time visit via cruise.

So, for DIY, added to the visa expense, one must add the cost of the sapsan train (or flight), Moscow transportation (metro is great), food & associated entrance fees to the Kremlin (and whatever else one has the time/desire to visit).

FYI: There is a HOHO in both Moscow & St. Petersburg.

Okay, I think the diy budget might be something like ₽20,000 (about $300) per person. This includes:

Train tickets: ₽9000 (5+4); Kremlin+armory: 1700 (1000+700)

Boat ride:600

Meals: 3000 (1500 per casual meal)

Contingencies (Uber ride if needed, etc): 2500.

It's based on a number of assumptions, so real-life mileage will vary - please let me know if you identify some glaring omissions or errors.

Assumptions:

Done on day 2 of three.

Good weather (lots of outside/walking time)

Earliest Sapsan to Moscow, overnight double decker from Moscow (no hotel stays)

Train tickets purchased at least 30 days in advance, economy for Sapsan and economy plus for the double decker (includes a bottle of water and a piece of gingerbread).

All group members are adults

Done on a day when the Kremlin, Red Sq, and other Moscow attractions are actually open.

Boat ride via watertrams-radisson.ru (the cheapest option with English audio guide)

Sample itinerary:

leave SPB on Sapsan 743a (5:30am), sleep on the train.

Arrive Moscow 9am

DIY Metro tour until 11am

Kremlin excursion (cathedral Sq, DIY) 11:30

Armory excursion (audioguide) 12:30

Quick lunch (at GUM stolovaya or fast food chains at Manezhnaya sq) : 2 to 3pm.

Walk to Zaryadye boat pier via Alexander's garden, Red Sq, Zaryadye. Boats leave every 30 minutes. Route: Zaryadye- Gorky Park - luzhniki- Ukraina - turnaround - sparrow hills - Gorky Park. Time on board: 2 hrs.

Gorky Park/muzeon (5:30 to 7:30).

Head back (metro) towards red sq for evening walk/dinner (tverskaya-kamergersky-b.dmitrovka-metropol-nikolskaya area)

Need to be back at the train station by 10:30 to catch the 006aa train departing at 10:50.

Back to SPB at 6:47 am.

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Ford’s Blue Cruise driver-assist tech in use during fatal accident, crash investigators find

A Ford Mustang Mach-E GT compact sports utility vehicle

The driver of a Ford electric SUV involved in a February fatal crash in Texas was using the company’s partially automated driving system before the wreck, federal investigators said Thursday.

The NTSB can only make recommendations, but NHTSA has the authority to take action including seeking recalls for safety issues.

A company spokeswoman wouldn’t comment on the NTSB report Thursday, deferring to a previous statement saying that Ford is cooperating in the investigations.

Another driver who was able to avoid the CR-V told investigators that neither its tail nor hazard lights were working at the time.

The other crash involving a Mach E killed two people around 3:20 a.m. March 3 in the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia.

The Pennsylvania State Police said Thursday that a Mach E was in the left lane when it struck a stationary Hyundai Elantra that earlier had collided with a Toyota Prius.

A police spokeswoman said a person from the Hyundai also was on the roadway and was hit. Both victims, males ages 21 and 20, were pronounced dead at the scene.

There are no fully autonomous vehicles for sale to the public in the U.S.

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Ford BlueCruise: Hands Free Driving Technology
TRY FORD BLUECRUISE TODAY. The future of driving, completely free of charge. All Mustang Mach-E vehicles built from 2023 † are eligible for a 90-day free trial of Ford BlueCruise, worth £17.99 per month. Just sign into your Ford Account to get started. Start your free trial.
What is Ford BlueCruise?
At the moment, Blue Cruise can be enabled on Ford Mustang Mach-E models from Model Year 2023. The vehicle must be equipped with SYNC 4, FordPass, and the Ford BlueCruise hardware capability. To find your model year, login to FordPass and click the vehicle dashboard. At the top next to account, it shows the model year. Alternatively, click here.
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HANDS-FREE. REACTIONS. Ford has become the first carmaker in Europe to get the green light for drivers to use a " hands-off, eyes-on " advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). Drivers of enabled Mustang Mach-E vehicles built from 2023 † can now use Bluecruise on over 20,000 miles of motorway - or 'Blue Zones' in Great Britain ...
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Ford Brings Hands-Free Driving Technology to Motorways in Great Britain
Now, a green light for Ford BlueCruise 2, 3 technology from the UK's Department for Transport means drivers of enabled Mustang Mach-E models can use "hands-off, eyes-on" driving technology on 2,300 miles (3,700 km) of pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland and Wales, 4 designated as Blue Zones.
Ford BlueCruise: UK's first legal hands-free driving tech arrives
The UK's Department for Transport has approved BlueCruise for 2,300 miles of motorways in England, Scotland and Wales. "Today marks a significant moment for our industry as Ford BlueCruise ...
Ford BlueCruise Approved For Use On UK Roads
For now, 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E drivers will be the first able to take advantage of the new offering with a free 90-day trial, after which a monthly subscription is available at a cost of £17.99 ($22.50 USD). Those owners can currently use BlueCruise on 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles) of pre-mapped motorways in England, Scotland, and Wales ...
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Ford BlueCruise
Get a 90-day free trial of Ford BlueCruise. Every Mustang Mach-E car built from November 2022 is eligible for a 90-day free trial of BlueCruise. This is a saving of £17.99 a month! All you have to do is sign into your Ford Account to get it rolling. Contact your local Group 1 Ford dealership to learn more about Ford BluieCruise.
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Ford BlueCruise is UK's First Legal Hands-Free Driving
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Ford BlueCruise
Prices listed are MSRP and are based on information updated on this website from time to time. Consumer Reports top-rated Active Driving Assistance System, Ford BlueCruise, offers Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering, and Speed Sign Recognition technologies for a safe and stress-free ride. Drive on Blue Zone pre-qualified highways today!
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