General Motors (GM) is making a significant move to expand its Super Cruise Driver Assistance network, bringing hands-free driving to more rural areas. By 2025, GM plans to include 750,000 miles of roads in the US and Canada in its Super Cruise network. This expansion aims to connect small towns and cities, allowing adventurous backpackers and residents in rural areas to enjoy the convenience of hands-free driving.
Super Cruise, launched in 2017, was the first commercially available hands-free driving system. It combines on-board cameras, radar sensors, GPS data, and lidar mapping information to keep vehicles in their lanes and adjust speed. Infrared cameras monitor drivers to ensure they remain attentive to the road. The scanning of roads is performed by Dynamic Map Platform, which uses lidar laser sensors to map lane data and topography.
Until now, ADAS systems have mainly focused on urban and suburban areas, neglecting rural areas due to challenges such as narrow lanes and missing signage. However, these areas are often the perfect candidates to benefit from advanced driver assistance technology, as they lack access to mass transit. GM’s expansion of Super Cruise aims to address this gap by adding approximately 40,000 miles of new roads to the network every quarter over the next two years.
It’s important to note that ADAS, including hands-free driving, is not the same as full self-driving. While ADAS systems like Super Cruise provide a level of autonomy, they still require drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Vehicles equipped with Super Cruise cannot handle traffic stops or four-way stops.
GM’s commitment to ADAS rather than fully autonomous vehicles may help avoid the backlash faced by companies that have faced safety concerns with their self-driving systems. By prioritizing safety and avoiding beta testing on customers, GM aims to build trust in its technology. Super Cruise has already covered 160 million miles without a single accident attributed to the system.
By expanding the Super Cruise network to rural areas, GM is ensuring that more drivers can experience the benefits of hands-free driving, enjoying the convenience and safety features while exploring adventurous places and smaller towns. This move highlights the auto industry’s recognition of consumer interest in partial autonomous features, even as fully autonomous driving faces public skepticism.
FAQ:
1. What is Super Cruise?
Super Cruise is a hands-free driving system developed by General Motors (GM). It combines cameras, radar sensors, GPS data, and lidar mapping information to keep vehicles in their lanes and adjust their speed.
2. When was Super Cruise launched?
Super Cruise was launched in 2017 as the first commercially available hands-free driving system.
3. What is the purpose of GM’s expansion of Super Cruise?
GM plans to expand Super Cruise to include 750,000 miles of roads in the US and Canada by 2025. This expansion aims to connect small towns and cities, providing hands-free driving convenience to residents in rural areas.
4. How does GM’s Super Cruise handle road scanning?
The scanning of roads for Super Cruise is performed by Dynamic Map Platform, which uses lidar laser sensors to map lane data and topography.
5. Why have ADAS systems neglected rural areas in the past?
ADAS systems have mainly focused on urban and suburban areas, neglecting rural areas due to challenges like narrow lanes and missing signage. However, these areas often lack access to mass transit and can benefit greatly from advanced driver assistance technology.
6. What is the difference between ADAS and full self-driving?
ADAS, including hands-free driving, provides a level of autonomy but still requires drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Full self-driving, on the other hand, does not require driver attention. Super Cruise is an ADAS system and not fully autonomous.
7. Can Super Cruise handle traffic stops or four-way stops?
No, vehicles equipped with Super Cruise cannot handle traffic stops or four-way stops. Drivers are still responsible for those situations.
8. How is GM prioritizing safety with Super Cruise?
GM aims to prioritize safety and build trust in its technology by committing to ADAS rather than fully autonomous vehicles. They have avoided beta testing on customers, and Super Cruise has already covered 160 million miles without a single accident attributed to the system.
Related Links:
– GM Official Website
– GM Autonomous Technology
The source of the article is from the blog macnifico.pt