'Knowledge, understanding and experience overrule autonomous tech'

With Ford introducing hands-free technology, BlueCruise, which has been cleared by the Government for use on motorways, fleets have revealed their thoughts and concerns on how they can integrate the semi-autonomous tech into their policies.

BlueCruise is a driver assistance system that enables hands-free assisted driving at up to 80mph speeds.

The technology made its debut on the Mustang Mach-E and has been approved for use on UK roads by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The system monitors road markings, speed signs and evolving traffic conditions to control steering, acceleration, braking and lane positioning, as well as to maintain safe and consistent distances to vehicles ahead – right down to a complete halt in traffic jams.

A majority of fleet decision-makers would not be happy for their drivers to use a hands-off driver assistance system, such as Ford's BlueCruise, according to a Fleet News poll.

At a roundtable discussion during a recent Fleet200 Strategy Network meeting, fleets raised their concerns about the technology: