What Is Ford Co-Pilot360?
Ford's safety systems now include a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving option on some models.
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While advanced driver safety systems were once only associated with high-end nameplates, Ford now offers some variation of its Co-Pilot360 package of electronic driving aids on nearly all of its cars, SUVs, light trucks, and vans.
And starting this year, the technology jumps up a notch with the introduction of the BlueCruise system, available on the Ford F-150 and the Mustang Mach-E EV, a Level 2, semi-autonomous, hands-free driving system that rivals General Motors' Super Cruise and Tesla's Autopilot.
What are the Main Features of Ford Co-Pilot360?
Depending on the model and the package, Co-Pilot360 includes elements such as blind spot system with a cross-traffic alert, an active lane keeping system and even a "take a break" warning if you're crossing the lines too often.
Other features include pre-collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, evasive steering assist, road-edge detection, and intersection assist. Those systems will more invasively counter-steer or even brake your vehicle if they detect a potential accident.
Co-Pilot360’s elements include the rear-view camera, automatic high-beam headlamps, hill descent control and trailer safety tools such as trailer backup assist and blind-spot intervention with coverage that extends the entire length of your trailer. Active Park Assist 2.0 will automatically take over the wheel to help with both parallel and perpendicular parking, though you’ll still control the gas and brakes.
For even more driving assistance, add the Co-Pilot360 Assist Plus package. This package adds intelligent adaptive cruise control, which integrates speed sign recognition, plus stop-and-go speed control and automatic lane centering to keep the car squarely in lane. It will adjust your vehicle to posted speed limit changes, as well as slowing or even stopping you if traffic has come to a halt.
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Will Ford Co-Pilot360 Allow for Self-Driving?
The latest innovation for Co-Pilot360 is BlueCruise, a Level 2 technology that will allow full hands-free driving on more than 130,000 miles of designated divided highways, which Ford calls "Hands-Free Blue Zones". Level 2 means drivers still must remain alert to road conditions to take over driving at a moment’s notice. The system, originally known as "Active Drive Assist", employs a high-resolution GPS to recognize routes, plus three radar units and a windshield-mounted camera to automatically keep the vehicle on track. It also costs $600 for a three-year subscription.
BlueCruise is integrated with traditional adaptive cruise control, lane centering, sign recognition and stop-and-go technology to provide the convenience of limited hands-free motoring. To make sure you haven’t gone in the back to take a nap, BlueCruise actively monitors drivers with a camera, and intervenes if you aren't looking at the road. The fully-operational BlueCruise was first offered as an option on more models in 2022, and will continue to be offered on more this year and beyond.
How Much Does Ford Co-Pilot360 Cost?
On a 2022 Ford Explorer XLT, adding the Co-Pilot360 Assist + package is about $995 extra, but also requires a package including a heated steering wheel, remote start, LED fog lamps, power seats and keyless entry, which totals around $4,535. On a 2023 Ford Ranger XLT, Co-Pilot360 is included in the around $34,500 base price.
The BlueCruise upgrade is $1,595 for F-150 models which do not include it as a standard option; it’s $3,200 for the Mach-E Select package, which also includes a 360-degree camera and heated front seats and steering wheel.
