Ford revealed plans for an AI assistant and next-generation BlueCruise advanced driver assistance system at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show. The digital assistant, hosted on Google Cloud and built with off-the-shelf large language models, will debut in Ford’s revamped smartphone app in early 2026, before expanding to in-vehicle integration in 2027. The assistant will provide both high-level guidance, such as cargo capacity calculations, and granular, real-time vehicle data like oil life.
The updated BlueCruise system will debut in 2027 on Ford’s new low-cost Universal Electric Vehicle platform, initially in a mid-sized pickup. The system is 30% cheaper to manufacture than the current version and promises point-to-point autonomous capabilities with eyes-off driving targeted for 2028. Drivers must remain ready to take control at all times, similar to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and Rivian’s planned systems.
Ford’s announcements mark one of the few major automaker tech reveals at CES, delivered in a speaker session rather than a keynote. The moves reflect the company’s strategy to integrate AI into both digital and in-car experiences, positioning its vehicles for smarter, more connected functionality while reducing costs for advanced driver-assistance technology.
