Ford Unveils AI Assistant and Next-Gen BlueCruise Tech for Hands-Free Driving
Ford is stepping up its technology game with the announcement of a new AI assistant and an upgraded BlueCruise driver-assistance system, unveiled at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show. The AI assistant will first appear in Ford’s smartphone app in early 2026, with full in-car integration planned for 2027. Meanwhile, the BlueCruise update promises more capable and affordable hands-free driving technology by 2028.
Unlike past CES showcases dominated by flashy car reveals, Ford revealed its plans at a speaker session called “Great Minds,” which explored the intersection of technology and humanity. The session highlighted the automaker’s shift toward smarter, more human-centric vehicle technology rather than traditional car show spectacle.
Powered by Google Cloud and built using off-the-shelf large language models, Ford’s AI assistant will offer detailed insights about a vehicle. Drivers can ask high-level questions like how much weight their truck bed can handle or check real-time stats such as oil life. The AI aims to make car ownership and everyday driving both smarter and more intuitive.
Ford’s new BlueCruise system is also generating buzz, as it is reportedly 30% cheaper to produce than the current version. The technology will debut on the company’s first EV built on the low-cost Universal Electric Vehicle platform—a mid-sized pickup expected in 2027. The updated system is designed to eventually allow eyes-off driving and point-to-point autonomy, similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving capabilities, while still requiring drivers to remain ready to take control.
Industry analysts note that competitors like Rivian and Tesla are also racing to integrate AI-driven assistants and autonomous features. Rivian recently demonstrated an in-car assistant handling navigation and messages, while Tesla’s Grok chatbot provides real-time information and entertainment. Ford has a year to refine its AI integration, aiming to bring a more affordable and practical solution to a broader audience.
source: Techcrunch