The American Automobile Association has publicly praised the driver monitoring system used in General Motors vehicles that feature the automaker’s hands-free Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving assistant.
The organization outlined the results of a recent real-world test of semi-autonomous driving assistant technologies in a news release published Tuesday entitled “Face It: Only One Type of Driver Monitoring System Works, But It’s Not Foolproof.” AAA experts found systems using a driver-facing camera, such as GM’s Super Cruise system, “are best at keeping motorists focused on the road,” although in some instances, a “driver determined to cheat the system can defeat it.”
AAA tested four different driving assistants from four different automakers in its evaluation. This included a 2021 Cadillac Escalade with Super Cruise, a 2021 Subaru Forested with EyeSight, a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe with Highway Driving Assistant and a 2020 Tesla Model 3 with Autopilot. Of these, only the Cadillac and Subaru systems utilize a cabin-facing camera to ensure the driver is paying attention, while the Hyundai and Tesla systems only require the driver to put one hand on the steering wheel.
AAA researchers found that the systems with camera-based driver monitoring disengaged drivers 50 seconds sooner and were more persistent than those detecting steering wheel movement. Additionally, the amount of time test drivers were engaged was approximately five times greater for camera-based systems than for steering wheel systems. AAA also found that the Hyundai and Tesla systems “failed to disable the semi-autonomous features and force the driver to take the wheel and pay attention,” even after issuing multiple warnings of inattentive driving.
“Regardless of brand names or marketing claims, vehicles available for purchase today are not capable of driving themselves,” explained Greg Brannon, director of AAA’s automotive engineering and industry relations. “Driver monitoring systems are a good first step to preventing deadly crashes, but they are not foolproof.”
GM is poised to become the first automaker to implement a semi-autonomous system capable of handling up to 90 percent of all driving scenarios when it rolls out Ultra Cruise in 2023. Just like Super Cruise, Ultra Cruise will use driver-facing cameras to ensure the driver’s gaze is fixed on the road ahead and not on the infotainment screen, their cellphone or elsewhere.
Super Cruise also topped a recent Consumer Reports group test of similar systems, with the publication praising the system for similar reasons to AAA. CR editors appreciated Super Cruise’s strict driver monitoring system and expressed a desire to see Tesla and other automakers follow the same path as GM.
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Comments
My concern is that the cameras will not be removed after self-driving systems get better. Remember, the ONLY reason cameras are being installed is because self-driving systems are incapable of driving without user supervision. Once that problem is solved, the cameras ought to go.
They will be coming to all cars, including non-automation vehicles. They’ve been around in a primitive form since circa 2000, Mercedes was one of the first. The EU has mandated driver awareness systems by 2026.
Similarly, Congress In the US, has mandated drunk driver detection systems by the same date, something that was pushed lobbied by IIHS. This is very similar, they use cameras and driving input to detect drunk driving.
Guess it’s time to break out the electrical tape. I prefer to read 1984, not live in it.
And for the record, I don’t even drink. I strongly oppose drunk driving, but this is not about drunk driving. This is about getting cameras into every car and using drunk driving as an excuse. The shocking thing is how many people are passively losing their freedom to drive in privacy without the slightest fuss. Does anyone honestly think these cameras won’t be abused? Guess again.
I think we need to do without these semi autonomous driving systems. Until we can go fully autonomous let’s just drive our cars. None of these systems are going to prevent some drivers from not reacting in time and causing a crash.
After this I have zero confidence in AAA. AAA, try to buy Super Cruise. You will not get it at any price. So far it is only a vaporware, fooling gullible customers..
My 2017 & 2020 CT6’s have Super Cruise, and I can say without hesitation it is a great system. It requires you to maintain focus or the system kicks off and the driver’s seat vibrates. I use it whenever and wherever I can, it reduces the fatigue and keeps me aware and when combined with adaptive cruise control it can be a life saver. I have glanced out at scenery and the system vibrated the seat and the green bar at the top of the wheel went red.
It recognizes construction zones and flashes up the warning on the instrument cluster. I have had my car come to a complete stop when a deer was beside and then crossed in front of me.
Unless you have driven a Super Cruise equipped vehicle for a substantial time, you don’t know how good the system is. I just wish my cars could be upgraded to handle the passing feature that is now available on the Escalade. I hope that Cadillac/GM keep Super Cruise viable with the introduction of Ultra Cruise.
Another great General Motors invention!
Whooo, if there is one thing that I learned on these auto blogs is not to say anything disparaging about Tesla’s or Corvette owners. Poor AAA is now going to suffer the wrath of the Tesla trolls. Even if what AAA said was true.
We Corvette owners are a rowdy and faithful to the car bunch! I have 2 Cadillac CT6’s and my ever-fun, quick machine a 2001 Corvette convertible.
Just wish I had room for a new Z06 convertible…well, maybe someday!
Fulling Self driving cars are dangerous!
The natural evolution of the automobile. Eventually all vehicles communicate with each other and human error and wreckles driving is eliminated.