We all love and respect our cars. Cruising around our local streets getting us from A to B.
It is not a surprise that people who use their cars on a daily basis may become fed up with the whole driving process. Hence the reason many leading car manufacturers have created an innovative technology called ‘Auto-Pilot.’
But what is this fantastic gadget that only the newest cars seem to have adopted? Is it worth having an ADAS system?
In this article, we will look into three main car brands, Rivian Driver+ vs Ford Blue Cruise vs Tesla autopilot to see how their ADAS systems really compare and why they could be a sought-after gadget.
The term autopilot has been used for years in the aircraft industry. We know that this technology allows for pilots to cruise at the same speed and altitude leaving the plane’s internal computer to do the job of flying its passengers to where they need to go.
Autopilot in cars is very similar. Now it doesn’t mean your car can fly, but it does mean that when you are ready for the car’s internal computer to take over, it’s there ready and able to do so. It can keep your car speed at a constant. It also has the handy feature of assisting you when parking, braking, and many other maneuvers that some drivers dislike or struggle with.
It is important to mention that the driver-assist technology does not take over from the driver’s judgment or control of the car. The person behind the wheel would still need to be very aware of their environment and take control of the car in any dangerous situations.
The Rivian Driver + has some great features that many drivers love. The Driver + system can help owners become more aware of their environment and in hindsight create a safer journey.
As you can imagine this system comes with some great features that are designed to not only make the driver’s job easier but also make journey’s safer. Here are some of the features:
The Ford Blue Cruise is a relatively new technology that Ford has introduced. It navigates the vehicle by using the front camera in the car and clever GPS navigation.
Using the Blue Cruise feature couldn’t be easier. The driver just has to activate it on the main computer in the car and hey presto! The system will take full control of the car allowing the driver to become hands and feet free.
The ADAS in Tesla cars is now a standard feature. As with the above vehicles, the main aim of the advanced driver assistance system is to lessen the workload of the driver behind the wheel.
Every Tesla is equipped with eight external cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a magnificent onboard computer to control the car when required.
So with all three models offering this up-to-date technology which one is deemed the best?
Let us iron out the minor differences between the three so you have a better understanding of what they each have to offer.
The Ford Blue Cruise technology has a level two autonomy this means that the full effect of the autopilot lacks some of the nifty features of the Tesla and Rivian Driver +.
Unlike Tesla, the Ford Blue Cruise is not equipped to deal with effective auto management when it comes to lane changes. This feature is still managed by the driver in the first instance. It could be an adaption that may be overlooked by many but with the leading brand such as Tesla and Rivian Driver+ offering it within their ADAS it could be a deal-breaker when comparing the three
Similarly, Tesla’s onboard computer is updated through airsoft technologies which means it will always be on top of its game. It is also well equipped to automatically over-take slower cars and because of the link to the GPS within the car, the autopilot feature is accessible on all major highways and access roads something that Ford is yet to introduce into their systems.
You should note that even though you still have to be attentive whilst behind the wheel, the Blue Cruise adaption cannot safely navigate sharp turnings in the road – meaning that these kinds of turnings have to be handled by the driver.
This indicates that Tesla may be an overall safer vehicle when autopilot is engaged. Although there have been reports of a few crashes in Tesla’s when the autopilot is engaged, so this may be a factor that you would need to consider.
Now let’s put the third wheel into the mix and see how the Rivian Driver+ matches both cars. After looking at the specs and features of the Rivian Driver+ it is inevitable that it has some similarities with both the Ford and Tesla.
With it still working at level two autonomy like the Ford Blue Cruise it is expected that their system is going to be upgraded to level three in the very near future meaning that the driver can become totally hands-free.
Where the Rivian Driver+ is extremely similar to that of a Tesla it is important as a car owner that you understand the additional cost of these extra gadgets.
If the technology in a Rivian vehicle boosts to level three then the owners may find an increase in the price as well.
The cost of this technology is very high and even if they were to follow through with the upgrade then it would significantly increase the cost of the car. In hindsight, the owner would essentially be paying more dollars for the technology than the car could potentially be worth.
As Tesla already has this technology running in its vehicles, it is easy to understand why they also have such a high price ticket to go with them.
No. The autopilot system in Tesla vehicles comes at a cost. Subscriptions are around $99 and are only available if your vehicle has hardware version 3.0. If your car is equipped with earlier hardware then expect to pay $1000 for the upgrade.
The bottom line would be anything that is controlling a car especially at a high speed does have the ability to collide with obstacles and other cars. The autopilot system in a Tesla is forever upgrading and it has been recorded that at least three drivers of the Tesla have lost their lives since 2016 and it was proved that the autopilot failed.
The base price of a Tesla can be from $39,990, but these prices increase considerably with the better models. Top dollar the best car can set you back around $69,900. The autopilot comes standard with every car but if you wish to have the full self-driving capability software then this would be an extra $10,000.
Blue cruise is a standard on top Ford vehicles. It is available on the F-150, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum Trims.
Blue zones are the areas that the Ford Blue Cruise works in. Currently, this covers over 100,000 miles in all 50 states and in Canada.
Blue Cruise is a package that can be a part of your vehicle when you purchase it. If you wish to upgrade to blue cruise then the software alone would be $600 with an added $995 for the hardware.
The Manufactures of the Rivian have invested thousands of dollars into their hands-free driving technology. They have called their semi-autonomous driving system Driver+. The features of this system are similar to Tesla.
The Rivian Driver + is a level 2 system that is now a standard feature on all R1T and R1S vehicles. The scope of the Rivian Drivers’ abilities includes auto-braking, auto-steering, cruise control, lane change assistance, and blind-spot alerts. But it currently can not drive itself.
Both companies are heavily invested in their hands-free driving systems and with Tesla introducing theirs first there is a lot of media about the Rivian having many similar features. The biggest difference in both cars would be their appearance and the type of electric car both Rivian and Tesla bring to the market.
Overall it is a no-brainer when it comes to the comparison. The Ford Blue Cruise is a well-adapted system that can tick many boxes of an autopilot feature, plus you could get all this at a much lower cost than the other cars however with regards to the specifications, equipment, and overall handling of the autopilot systems the main competition has to lie between the Rivian and Tesla!
They are known to be competitors within the car market and what they offer their customers is no secret. Whilst they are very similar they do have little differences that could sway your mind when choosing the better brand.
It is evident that Tesla was one of the first companies to introduce the totally hands-free autopilot system and they really are looking at taking driving cars to the next level. Their futuristic designs are something that people are in awe over and now already equipped with their top-of-the-range autopilot system surely it will bring safety to a whole new level as well?
With the Rivian coming in a close second I believe that they too will enhance the future of driving. With many similar features to Tesla, it is no wonder that they are starting to gain popularity.
Find more interesting information about Tesla cars with these articles:
Does The Tesla Model Y Have Butterfly, Falcon, or Gullwing Doors?
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