While fully automated self-driving cars may not yet be available, vehicles with hands-free driving capability offer a glimpse of what the future may hold. These vehicles can automatically accelerate, brake, and steer, allowing the driver to take their hands off the steering wheel. However, before making a purchasing decision based on this feature, there are important considerations that car shoppers should be aware of.
Currently, only a small number of car manufacturers provide hands-free driving and each has its unique name for the system. Moreover, there are numerous restrictions on the capabilities of each system, with most only working on particular highways and certain criteria having to be fulfilled before hands-free operation is possible.
Drivers must remain attentive to the road and be prepared to take control of the vehicle when required by the system or in the event of an emergency. Therefore, Edmunds has compiled a list of the most noteworthy hands-free driving systems offered in this year.
FORD
Ford and Lincoln have developed hands-free driving technology called BlueCruise. This system is capable of operating hands-free on over 130,000 miles of predetermined major highways. Subsequent BlueCruise updates have added lane-changing and speed adjustment capability for sharp curve sections of the road. This feature is accessible as an add-on for certain levels of specification on specific Ford and Lincoln models. BlueCruise is supplemented with three years of complimentary usage, after which it demands a subscription plan to continue using the feature.
GENERAL MOTORS
GM’s hands-free driving system is known as Super Cruise and it is offered on certain trim levels in several Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac models. As is the case with most hands-free systems, drivers can only remove their hands from the steering wheel on specified premapped roadways, and GM has confirmed Super Cruise operates on up to 400,000 miles of those roads. Comparable to BlueCruise, eligible GM vehicles receive 3 years of Super Cruise functionality, and thereafter, a monthly subscription is required to continue using the feature.
NISSAN
Nissan has a hands-free driving system called ProPilot 2.0, which is similar to BlueCruise and Super Cruise. When utilized under appropriate conditions, the system can steer, accelerate, and brake for the driver. ProPilot 2.0 has recently become available, debuting on the new Ariya electric SUV, the only vehicle currently featuring it on its high-end trims. Nissan claimed the system can drive hands-free on over 200,000 miles of designated highways.
BMW
BMW has had its Extended Traffic Jam Assistant hands-free driving feature available for a while now, which functions at up to 40 mph on specific highways. However, this year, a new and more sophisticated system named Highway Assistant will be available for drivers. The upgraded system is capable of maintaining speeds up to 80 mph and enabling seamless lane changes. While information about the system seems limited, it will be available on BMW’s i7 electric sedan and other luxury BMW models.
MERCEDES-BENZ
Mercedes-Benz has announced the release of its first hands-free driving system for the US market, known as Drive Pilot, set to debut later this year in the S-Class and EQS electric sedan. Drive Pilot is America’s initial Level 3 automated drive system, which comes with a conditional ability to operate hands-free while the interior camera monitors the driver’s face. Drivers are allowed to divert their gaze from the road, unlike Level 2 systems on this list that require the driver’s eyes to remain focused on the road. Presently, Drive Pilot is restricted to designated highways at speeds ranging up to 40 mph due to current regulations, and its use has been sanctioned solely in the state of Nevada, with California following later this year.
TESLA
Things are more complex with Tesla. The company offers the Full Self-Driving system on newer models with the appropriate hardware. Despite its name, Full Self-Driving isn’t yet a self-driving system, though Tesla says it will be at one point in the future. For the current Full Self-Driving system to have hands-free capability, owners must opt-in to the Beta version. Tesla offers Full-Self Driving Beta to anyone who has the regular Full Self-Driving system. Notably, Full-Self Driving Beta can operate hands-free on most regular roads or highways.
EDMUNDS SAYS:
Hands-free driving systems represent a step closer to the future of driving. However, it’s important to remember that hands-free does not translate to “eyes-free.” The technology is continuously progressing, and we anticipate seeing automakers providing more advanced driving systems in the near future.