In a surprising move, General Motors (GM) has decided to end its Ultra Cruise driver assistance program, diverging from its previous plans to launch the system in the United States. This decision comes as GM faces challenges with its self-driving subsidiary, Cruise, following a major accident in October.
According to sources familiar with the matter, GM will now channel its efforts into further developing its Super Cruise system rather than maintaining two separate advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) programs. This decision, although not confirmed by GM executives, aligns with the goal of streamlining the company’s autonomous driving initiatives.
Darryll Harrison Jr., GM’s VP of Global Tech Communications, commented on the situation, emphasizing the expansion and improvement of Super Cruise. He stated, “GM continues to expand access to and increase the capability of Super Cruise, our advanced driver assistance technology. Our focus remains on safely deploying this technology across GM brands and more vehicle categories while expanding to even more roads.”
Ultra Cruise, the now-canceled program, aimed to offer hands-free driving and broader usage capabilities compared to the more limited Super Cruise system. It was slated to utilize a combination of long-range cameras, short-range sensors, and advanced computing power. The ultimate goal was for Ultra Cruise to drive the vehicle autonomously in 95 percent of scenarios, even on city streets and rural roads.
This recent decision by GM has raised speculation about the company’s future plans for autonomous driving. With the increasing competition in the self-driving sector, especially with Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta, GM appears to be redirecting its focus towards refining and expanding Super Cruise technology.
As of now, GM has not provided further comments or clarifications on this development. The decision to discontinue Ultra Cruise comes at a time when GM’s subsidiary Cruise is facing scrutiny due to an accident involving one of its self-driving vehicles. This incident has sparked investigations by federal and state authorities, leading to leadership changes and a reevaluation of Cruise’s operations.
In conclusion, GM’s decision to end the Ultra Cruise program and prioritize Super Cruise represents a shift in its autonomous driving strategy. By concentrating resources on a single ADAS system, GM aims to enhance the safety and functionality of its self-driving technology.
The source of the article is from the blog cheap-sound.com