Camilla Jessen
Eyes-off driving coming to Ford cars in 2028.
Ford says it is preparing a major leap in vehicle automation that would allow drivers to legally stop watching the road while their car drives itself on certain highways.
Ford announced that it aims to introduce Level 3 autonomous driving capability in Europe by 2028. Level 3 technology allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel and their eyes off the road under specific conditions.
The upgrade will come with the next generation of Ford’s BlueCruise system, which the company says will enable “eyes-off” driving on approved highway sections.
How it will work
With the new system activated, drivers will be legally allowed to read, watch videos or focus on other activities while the vehicle manages steering, speed and positioning.
However, the feature will only operate in designated “Blue Zones,” stretches of road where the risk of head-on collisions is minimized due to physical barriers and controlled traffic flow.
Ford said the car will continuously assess driving conditions and determine whether it can safely maintain full control.
Limits and safeguards
If weather conditions deteriorate, such as during heavy rain or snowfall, the system will alert the driver and request that they take over control.
According to Ford, safety remains the top priority, with the vehicle designed to hand responsibility back to the driver whenever conditions fall outside its operating limits.
The automaker estimates that the new BlueCruise technology will be around 30 percent cheaper to produce than its current systems.
First model planned
The Level 3 system is expected to debut in a new mid-size electric pickup truck built on Ford’s upcoming “Universal Electric Vehicle” platform.
The model is anticipated to be priced at around $30,500 or £24,000 before local taxes.
That version currently requires drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times and only works on approved motorway sections.
Sources: Reuters, Ford announcements at CES 2026, Boosted
