Ford to offer its first eyes-off Level 3 driver-assistance system in 2028.

Ford says it will bring a Level 3 "eyes-off" driver-assistance system to market in 2028, initially on a new midsize electric pickup due in 2027 at a targeted $30,000 price. The feature will not be standard on that vehicle and its pricing and business model have not yet been determined.

Ford plans to introduce a Level 3 driver-assistance system in 2028 that allows drivers to take their hands and eyes off the road on certain highways. The technology will first appear on a new midsize electric pickup being developed by a specialized team in California and scheduled to launch in 2027 at a targeted $30,000 price. Ford said the Level 3 capability would not come standard on that vehicle and would be offered for an extra fee, with the company still deciding the pricing model. The automaker is developing the systems largely in-house and intends to use lidar to support the Level 3 features. Key facts: - Ford announced it will offer a Level 3 "eyes-off" driver-assistance system in 2028. - The system will first be available on a new midsize electric pickup due in 2027 with a targeted $30,000 launch price. - The Level 3 function will be an optional extra rather than standard equipment, and Ford has not set the fee or business model. - Ford is developing the technology primarily in-house and plans to use lidar as part of the system. - The article mentions other automakers: Tesla favors a camera-based approach, Mercedes-Benz already offers a highway-only Level 3 system in some U.S. states, General Motors also announced eyes-off driving for 2028, and Stellantis had been reported to have shelved its Level 3 program. Summary: Ford is moving toward Level 3 autonomy with an initial rollout set for 2028 on a new, lower-priced electric pickup arriving in 2027. Pricing and the commercial model for the feature remain undecided, and the company is building the system in-house using lidar, with plans to expand the technology to other vehicles in the future.