The 2017 model-year Cadillac CT6 and CTS will be the very first GM products to showcase the Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving technology and, as such, many are curious to learn how it works and how it will differ from the competition.
John McElroy, host of Autoline Daily, recently caught up with Cem Saraydar, Director of the Electrical and Control Systems Research Lab at GM, at the Autonomous Car Conference in Detroit, to find out a little more about what we can expect behind the wheel.
As the Saraydar explains, Super Cruise will differ from current semi-autonomous because it will allow drivers to fully take their hands off the wheel, a feature currently not offered by companies like Mercedes-Benz.
“It’s an assistance feature that allows the customer to lay their hands off the steering wheel and feet off the pedals,” he says. “But the customers are still in the loop,” says Saraydar.
As McElroy points out, Volvo already offers a hands-free driving mode that can be deployed in traffic. The CT6, meanwhile, is set to be the very first vehicle capable of hands-free driving at highway speeds.
Unfortunately, the news gets worse for troglodytes like us who prefer to steer for themselves.
“As the technology advances, I believe we will find more ways of giving more of the driving task responsible to the vehicle. We’re not there yet.”
Put another way, it seems its only a matter of time before robots enslave humankind we’ll be relegated to mere observers behind the wheel.
Before that happens, be sure to take five minutes and get the skinny on Super Cruise above.
The 2016 model-year Cadillac CT6 is scheduled to launch later this year.
Comments
I am surprised to see the CTS get this tech. In terms of Cadillac wanting all cars to have a ranking, I cannot see why the CTS should or would get this technology. It seems to me it should be exclusive to the CT6 and models above. At any rate its awesome to see GM getting ahead of the curve once again and being a first. I have adaptive cruise in my car and I will say its really nice, although I am not sure I would want the car to steer for me also.
I am surprise that the CTS is getting it too but not shock because I understand that the XT5 is getting it also for ’17 same as vehicle to vehicle communication and etc.
Super Cruise will debut on the CT6 which goes on sale this December.
The fact is all Cadillac’s soon will have this technology.
What they are going to do is infuse greater technology in all their vehicles electronic or otherwise. This will set them apart and also show why it cost more for a Cadillac.
The truth be told most new cars in the next 5-6 years will get forms of this kind of technology as it is going to be part of the collision avoidance system most cars at GM will get standard anyways.
This is the trickle down technology like ABS and ESC that was seen first on Cadillac’s and then other cars.
This is the first step to autonomous cars I am afraid to say. Once we go down this path there is no turning back. I know many think it will be a wonder to have a car take you where you want. But the fact is others will be in control of where you go, when you go and how you go. Also you don’t like the GPS on your phone or OnStar now they will have even more info on what you do and when you do it.
I am not a paranoid conspiracy guy but I do worry that others will have the ability to control my movements or know all about my travel with a press of a button.
On this statement : “… others will be in control of where you go, when you go and how you go. “, I see that you are wrong and very paranoid. Self-driving means that the vehicle only decides how to go, but you tell it where and when, not others.
I bet you may go back to manual cranking of the windows so they won’t close on your fingers, and even a manual engine crank, so it won’t start by itself, either!
I am surprised but happy that the new CT6 will have this technology. It also has GM’s best RWD hybrid technology derived from the FWD Chevy Volt, and uses the same 16 kWh battery size, too, but behind the rear seats. So the CT6 could be Cadillac’s technological flagship, and with the electric drive, it can move quietly on the road up to 99 MPH, and to park itself.
I woulnt ever use this feature unless I’m dead tired on a long trip or been out all night…. or the occasional fast meal on the go
You’ve listed 3uses & don’t have SC yet. You will engage SC every chance you get.
They could much better spend that money to give the ct6 a luxury interior.
The current cheap rental chevy interior has no place in a luxury car.