In autonomous and self-driving vehicle news are Ford, NHTSA, Guident and Aptiv.
NHTSA Investigates Fatal Collisions and System Limitations in Ford’s BlueCruise Automation System
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened Engineering Analysis EA25001 to investigate system limitations in Ford’s BlueCruise partial driving automation system, following two fatal collisions involving Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles. The collisions occurred with BlueCruise engaged at highway speeds during nighttime conditions, where no braking or evasive action was initiated by the system or driver before impact.
Preliminary findings revealed limitations in detecting stationary vehicles at speeds above 62 mph, particularly in low-visibility conditions. NHTSA identified 32 crashes and 2,004 non-crash incidents involving BlueCruise and Lane Centering Assist (LCA) systems, including instances where the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) failed to respond to stopped or slow-moving vehicles, necessitating abrupt manual intervention.
This investigation will assess the BlueCruise system’s performance and drivers’ ability to respond to its limitations through technical reviews, crash analyses, and further evaluations of Ford vehicles. The analysis will also include an in-depth review of related crash reports and near-miss incidents.
Guident Expands Global Patent Protection for AI-Driven Autonomous Vehicle Safety Solutions
Guident Corp., an autonomous vehicle teleoperation company based in Boca Raton, FL, has achieved significant intellectual property milestones. The company validated its European Patent Grant No. 4097550 across 20 countries, including major markets such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. This patent covers its Remote Monitoring & Control Center (RMCC), which utilizes AI and sensor fusion to enhance safety by monitoring autonomous vehicles, assessing risk, and intervening when necessary.
Additionally, Guident received a Notice of Allowance for its U.S. Patent Application No. 17/579,203, focused on near real-time video and data streaming for vehicles, robots, and drones to improve operational safety. Executive Chairman Harald Braun highlighted these advancements as crucial steps toward establishing new safety standards for autonomous mobility solutions worldwide.
Aptiv Announces Strategic Separation of Electrical Distribution Systems Business
Aptiv PLC, a global technology company, announced its plan to separate its Electrical Distribution Systems (EDS) business into an independent entity, approved unanimously by its Board of Directors. The decision aims to create two specialized companies, enabling each to focus on its distinct market opportunities and operational goals. Aptiv will continue as a high-growth industrial technology leader, offering advanced software and hardware solutions aligned with global trends like automation, electrification, and digitalization. Meanwhile, EDS will leverage its expertise in low and high voltage vehicle architectures to meet the growing demand for electric and feature-rich vehicles. The separation, expected to finalize by March 2026, is projected to deliver tailored strategies, focused investments, and significant shareholder value for both entities, while maintaining robust financial and operational goals.