When the 2021 Ford F-150 was revealed back in June, one of the many interesting innovations mentioned was a new feature called Ford Active Drive Assist. At the time, Ford didn’t provide many details about this semi self-driving function, which will also be present in the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. However, the automaker has now provided us with all of the pertinent information about this promising new feature.
The advanced new driver assist feature will launch in late 2020. It will come as standard equipment on certain Ford F-150 and Ford Mustang Mach-E models, and will be available as an option on others. With the F-150, Active Drive Assist will be available as a part of the Ford Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 package for $1,595. The Ford Co-Pilot 360 Active 2.0 package is standard on F-150 Limited and available as an option on Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum models.
For the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the feature will come standard on CA Route 1, Premium, and First Edition variants. It’s also available on Select trims for $3,200 as part of the larger Comfort and Technology package, which includes features such as a 360-degree camera, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
For customers purchasing an F-150 or Mustang Mach-E at this year’s launch, the hardware enabling Active Drive Assist – including forward-facing camera and radar sensors – will be available through the Ford Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package, while customers choosing to purchase the software for $600 will receive it through an Over-the-Air Update in the third quarter of next year.
Early F-150 customers can purchase the prep package that includes the Active Drive Assist hardware and Active Park Assist 2.0 for $895, which includes a $100 early adopter incentive. When Active Drive Assist is ready to launch with software updates, customers will then be able to purchase the software – plus a three-year service period – for $600 and receive it via Over-the-Air Update.
In the second half of 2021, new customers will be able to purchase the hardware and software together in the Ford Co-Pilot Active 2.0 package, without the need for an Over-the-Air Update to initiate the feature.
Ford Active Drive Assist builds upon the already available Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go Lane Centering and Speed Sign Recognition. It allows owners to operate their vehicles hands-free while the driver is monitored by a driver-facing camera to make sure they’re keeping their eyes on the road. This feature is available on prequalified sections of divided highways called Hands-Free Zones that make up over 100,000 miles of North American roads.
An advanced driver-facing camera will track eye gaze and head position to ensure drivers are paying attention to the road while in Hands-Free Mode as well as when they’re using hands-on Lane Centering Mode, which works on any road with lane lines. Drivers will be notified by visual prompts on their instrument cluster when they need to return their attention to the road or resume control of the vehicle.
We’ll have more on this new technology as soon as it’s available, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, Mustang Mach-E news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
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