Ford Previews AI Assistant and Next-Generation BlueCruise Hands-Free Driving Tech

Ford is developing a new AI-powered digital assistant and a next-generation version of its BlueCruise hands-free driving technology, the company announced Wednesday at the Consumer Electronics Show 2026.

The AI assistant will first be introduced via Ford’s smartphone app, then expand to in-vehicle use in 2027. Ford also revealed that the upcoming version of BlueCruise will be less expensive to manufacture and more capable, with the company targeting eyes-off driving by 2028.

The announcement was one of the few major updates from a traditional automaker at this year’s CES, a shift from the late 2010s when carmakers dominated the event. Rather than presenting the news at a large keynote, Ford shared details during a smaller session called Great Minds, which focused on exploring the relationship between technology and humanity.

Ford said the digital assistant will run on Google Cloud and be built using off-the-shelf large language models. The assistant will have access to detailed vehicle-specific information, allowing it to respond to both general and real-time questions. Owners will be able to ask practical questions, such as how much material a truck bed can carry, and check information, such as oil life and vehicle status.

The company plans to roll out the assistant in early 2026 through its redesigned Ford mobile app. A native in-car version is expected to follow in 2027, though Ford has not yet specified which vehicles will receive the feature first.

While Ford did not provide many details about the in-vehicle experience, other automakers have already showcased similar technology. Rivian recently demonstrated a digital assistant capable of managing text messages, handling complex navigation requests, and adjusting climate controls. Tesla has also integrated Elon Musk’s chatbot, Grok, into its vehicles, allowing drivers to use it for tasks such as generating sightseeing recommendations.

Alongside the AI assistant, Ford also teased a next-generation version of BlueCruise, its hands-free advanced driver assistance system. The updated system will be about 30% cheaper to build than the current version, according to the company.

The new BlueCruise technology is expected to debut in 2027 on the first electric vehicle built on Ford’s low-cost Universal Electric Vehicle platform, which is anticipated to underpin a mid-sized electric pickup.

Ford said the system is being designed to support point-to-point autonomous driving, similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software. Rivian has also indicated it plans to introduce point-to-point autonomy later this year. As with competing systems, drivers will still be required to remain attentive and ready to take control at any time.

Looking ahead, Ford’s roadmap includes eyes-off driving in 2028, signalling a significant step forward in the company’s automated driving ambitions.