General Motors’ Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system has taken heat for a year-long delay, but GM product chief, Mark Reuss, says the automaker is in no rush to push out a half-baked system.
According to The Detroit Free Press, Reuss spoke of the system in its latest form on the sidelines of a cyber security conference in Detroit, Michigan.
Foremost, Super Cruise will only be available during highway driving. GM has painstakingly ensured the system will only recognize highways, not local roads, through a 3D vision technology known as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR).
A series of lights will let the driver know when the system may be engaged.
“More importantly, it does a comparison of what the driver is actually doing … Through the driver’s eye you can detect his or her level of attention,” Reuss said.
Reuss also stated he and other GM employees recently tested the latest version of Super Cruise at the Milford Proving Grounds, but did not offer an availability date for when it would find its way to the 2016 Cadillac CT6.
He stated GM is prepared to delay the technology further should a glitch arise.
“We’ll put it out there when it’s ready,” Reuss said.
GM has taken the delay time to further hone the system, especially in light of recent Tesla Autopilot fatalities, the Silicon Valley automaker’s semi autonomous driving system.
Comments
Get it right the first time.
It will do more damage to Cadillac’s reputation if the new system is half-baked rather than the criticism for delaying the system.
Just think of what happened when they introduced the 8-6-4 cylinder deactivation system back in the early 80’s.
Innovative but not ready for prime time and it hurt their reputation for decades.
I had said way back when that these systems have to have a eye sensing camera that will not allow the system to activate or keep running if the driver is not looking straight at the road. No sleeping, watching movies, reading a book etc. The car companies have to realize going ahead that the majority of people are mindless morons and that system needs tweaked to handle the fools that want to do everything but drive the car.
Also, GM has never said which car will get this technology first, only that it would be a Cadillac. Everyone is just assuming its going to be the CT6. If this takes any longer to bring out, they might as well bring it out on the CT8 first IMO.
The first part of your statement kind of defeats the whole purpose of a self-driving system. If the ‘driver’ has to pay attention then why have the system?
Also since the CT8 is not official and in fact presumed dead then waiting for it to debut the Supercruise new tech would put Cadillac behind other luxury manufacturers that either already have a semi-autonomous system or have announced plans for one within the next 2-3years. That would make Cadillac late to the party, again.
Then why are all the car companies quick to point out and warn that when you use these systems you must still pay attention to the road and your surroundings? The companies know now for sure after that guy got killed in a Tesla, that they need to put an extra failsafe on these systems.
So your saying its perfectely fine for someone to go to sleep while thier car drives itself? Or watch a movie. This system no matter what Level its at, should be treated just like regular old fashion cruise control. Its a driving aid to help give your arms and legs a break from driving. It should not be meant for some lazy fool to go to sleep or do whatever. We are putting way to much trust in unproven system’s. I am all for the technology coming, but lets make sure we don’t over do it either.
For liability purposes car companies maybe saying to keep you eyes on the road but the practical benefit is to free people from driving and by consequence reduce driver induced accidents.
Yes. I do see a future where you punch (or say) your destination and the car drives you there while you rest, catch up on your emails, office work, etc.
If you need to catch up on your E-mails, office work and etc, by all means, you should be chauffeured around in the back seat of the CT6 with a paid driver paying attention to the road while resting his or her foot, leg and arms while the vehicle is in semi-autonomous mode.
I was actually referring to a future with fully autonomous vehicles.. in that scenario you will need to hire Jives to drive you around..
it’s coming like it or not…
I don’t like the idea of self driving cars.
1 its too risky and systems can fail any second.
2 it takes the fun out of driving and there will be less freedom.
3 self driving isn’t necessary or important.
4 GM should spend the money on making there cars better quality instead of unneeded technologies.
I don’t like the idea of them either but that is the way of the future.
Semi-autonomous systems are already appearing on higher end cars like the S-Class and 7 Series. Audi, Volvo, Lexus, etc. are already working on their own versions.
It is only a matter of time before these systems filter down to the volume brands and cars.
1. these systems are likely no more risky than an ABS system when they first came out – there are going to be growing pains but better and better as time goes on
2. yes it takes the fun out of driving but I am sure there will be a way to turn the system off and even now they only work for highway cruising. I would also argue that not as many people are about the ‘fun’ of driving. Look what is happening with the take rate on manual transmissions.
3. it is unnecessary but more and more cars will have it until one day when I can see it being government legislated. It has the potential to reduce accident fatalities due to fatigue, driver error and DWI plus can allow for higher speeds on the highway and closer following distances while freeing up personal time.
4. these systems are integral in Cadillac (GM) rebuilding it’s reputation and remaining on the forefront of safety and technology.