German automotive supplier ZF is currently developing an affordable SAE Level 2 semi-automated driving system that may serve as a direct rival to Cadillac Super Cruise.
ZF’s new Level 2 system, which is called CoAssist, will enter production under the banner of a major Asian manufacturer later this year. The system combines adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist, enabling hands-free driving on highways. Unlike Super Cruise, though, CoAssist gives the driver the ability to change lanes while operating in semi-autonomous mode by engaging the left or right turn signals.
Super Cruise enables semi-autonomous driving using a combination of cameras, sensors and high-precision map and GPS data. Cadillac says the system recognizes more than 200,000 miles of U.S. and Canadian highways thanks to its map and GPS memory base. ZF CoAssist, meanwhile, does not use map or GPS data and works on any freeway with visible lane markings, relying solely on its cameras and radar.
Cadillac Super Cruise in action
ZF is planning on selling CoAssist to automakers for well under $1,000, so this semi-autonomous technology should be rather affordable once it reaches the market later this year. The supplier says it has also received interested from a number of other automakers who want to apply to the technology to production vehicles for the 2023 and 2024 model years. The system comprises a forward-looking camera, a mid-range radar sensor mounted behind the grille, a short-range radar placed at each corner of the vehicle, a central controller unit and a control software.
While CoAssist isn’t on the market yet and likely won’t be very common for another few years or so, its development is emblematic of how quickly the autonomous driving space is moving. Super Cruise was considered impressive technology when it debuted back in 2017, but thanks to developments like ZF’s, it may not be long until we see similar hands-free Level 2 systems on mass market vehicles priced well below the Cadillac CT6 – which is to date the only vehicle to feature Super Cruise. For this reason, Cadillac will have to keep improving Super Cruise if it wants to stay at the forefront of the semi-autonomous vehicle conversation.
According to Wards, ZF is also looking to go above and beyond the Level 2 CoAssist system and is developing what it calls CoDrive, which will enable true hands- and feet-free driving with automatic lane changing. The company is developing a system called CoPilot, as well, which will include open source software for developers and voice-activated operation, among more. It’s not yet clear when CoDrive and CoPilot will reach the market in a production vehicle.
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Source: Wards Auto
Comments
Cadillac came out with this technology for their cars but it’s still missing on their popular crossover like the XT5 an wasn’t available at launch of some of the new products . Makes me wonder if there is a problem that they are having , while companies like this will run with it .
Look at the rear mirror camera that is now being shared by the other divisions .
Will this company be able to use all the sensors , mapping that Cadillac had to do for Super Cruise to work !?! .
The lack of detailed map data gives me concern on that system. I know with super cruise that when you are entering a turn that is relatively tight, the car knows and slows down to a safer speed entering the turn. Since you can super cruise up to 85, I say it’s mandatory for the system to be truly handsfree. With this new system, i imagine the driver having to take over on any ‘tight’ turn. Outside Boston there is a specific turn on 90 that supercruise nails since it slows down.