Semi-autonomous driver assist systems like GM Super Cruise are true game-changers, but according to a recent study, many users overestimate the capabilities of these new technologies.
In a recent report, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) outlines the results of an IIHS study which analyzes the way in which motorists use semi-autonomous driver assist systems like GM Super Cruise. According to the report, the study demonstrated that users regularly treat these systems as fully self-driving, despite the prevalence of multiple system warnings and high-profile crashes.
In addition to looking at GM Super Cruise, the study also looked at the Tesla Autopilot system and the Nissan / Infiniti ProPILOT system. The study incorporated survey responses from roughly 200 users from each brand, or 600 users total. All three systems incorporate similar features, such as adaptive cruise control and automatic lane centering, while GM Super Cruise is unique in that it allows the user to remove their hands from the steering wheel for extended periods of time. The other two systems require that drivers keep their hands on the steering wheel.
Notably, GM Super Cruise and Tesla Autopilot also include a driver-facing camera to ensure that the driver is paying attention and can reassume control of the vehicle if needed.
According to the IIHS report, GM Super Cruise and Tesla Autopilot users are more likely to engage in activities that involve taking their hands off the wheel and their eyes off the road as compared to ProPILOT users. GM Super Cruise users were also the most likely to say that an activity they think is unsafe with the system switched off is safe with the system switched on. Additionally, 53 percent of GM Super Cruise users said they were comfortable treating their vehicle as fully self-driving.
The IIHS suggest that demographics may have an influence in these results, with GM Super Cruise users more likely to be male and over the age of 50. Marketing may also play a role, with GM Super Cruise commercials highlighting the system’s hands-free capabilities.
The three systems also differ with regard to the methods in which the driver’s attention is recalled in terms of escalation sequences and fail-safe measures. GM Super Cruise and Tesla Autopilot include a lockout feature that will disable the system and prevent it from being restarted.
“These results from frequent users of three different partial automation systems once again drive home the need for robust, multifaceted safeguards,” said IIHS Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller, the lead author of the study. “Many of these drivers said they had experiences where they had to suddenly take over the driving because the automation did something unexpected, sometimes while they were doing something they were not supposed to.”
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Comments
I have Super Cruise on my car. While it’s great for long highway drives, it is definitely not competent enough that I’d consider it self-driving and try to read a magazine or whatever.
I don’t understand the sentence about taking your hands off the wheel or your eyes off the road with Supercruise. It is designed to allow you to take your hands off the wheel, and the eye tracking should not let you take your eyes off the road.
It’s intended to let you put your hands in your lap like in the advertising photo above. You can’t “engage in activities” with your hands, like sending a text, applying makeup, make a sandwich or change a diaper, because there may not be enough time to grab the wheel if it malfunctions.
How about taking a nap?
Sitting their doing nothing but watching sends me too sleep, it’s the constant activity that keeps me awake and alert to any external threats.
Yep. We need to be actively doing things to stay awake. These systems cannot drive and put us in a position where we are sitting, doing nothing. Until these systems can actually drive, these systems should not be allowed in the vehicle.
I like the Denali Ultimate’s interior upgrades (except the gaudy wood carving) but don’t want to have to slap my thighs and clap my hands to Queen when I drive.
What, exactly, is the point of Super Cruise?
I’m not sure I understand its overall benefit.
I have now used Super Cruise for over a year on my 2021 Escalade. I use it every time I am on a highway that is compatible. Unlike Tesla, the roadways Super Cruise is operable is very limited. Using SC makes for a more relaxing commute, but not entirely. Although your hands may not be on the wheel, your eyes and mental attention must given to the road and other drivers at all times. It does not avoid hitting the guy edging into your lane. And the adaptive cruise control will keep you on your toes as well as it cannot see far enough in front of the vehicle to notice slowing traffic and often results in sudden, hard stops. Nevertheless, as “imperfect” as it is, I enjoy using it and look forward to the upgraded Ultra Cruise in my next vehicle. The technology will only get better.
I told you so! This is super dangerous technology that promotes distracted driving and accidents! If you use this technology and don’t think you can lie to the cop, because your onboard computer will rat you out, make sure you have doubled or tripled your liability insurance because you will be sued to the moon and back by people like me!
What a troll. Super dangerous tech that promotes distracted driving and accidents. So does driving with a phone in your hands. This is typical in the US. People drive without licenses, no registration, no plates and no insurance. On top of that they don’t know how to drive. Can you even afford a lawyer?
This was a report just using a survey and not a real study. There was no study using cameras or people watching them drive. They just asked them questions. It’s more of a perception study than reality. There was no attempt to see if this perception was real or not. Supercruise got the brunt of the attacks, but Tesla should have as they had many more users think they could sleep while it was running than Supercruise users. That is much more dangerous than glancing at your texts!