General Motors has rolled out a major expansion of its Super Cruise hands-free driving system, now boasting a reach of 750,000 miles across the United States and Canadian highways, as reported by GM's official newsroom. A first-of-its-kind when launched in 2017, the technology trumps other hands-free systems by a significant mileage, and is set to boost that number through 2025 as additional roads become compatible.
The car manufacturer's ambition extends beyond highway cruising, making a move into secondary, oftentimes rural roads that knit together smaller communities. An additional 15 models in GM's lineup now embrace Super Cruise functionality, embracing lidar-mapped precision that promises consumers a more relaxed driving experience, detailed in a statement obtained by Forbes. GM's vice president of ADAS, Anantha Kancherla, underscored the company's commitment, claiming, "GM is all-in on safely deploying Super Cruise as we make the technology available on more vehicles, more roads, and for more people to enjoy."
However, adopting such cutting-edge tech isn't without its concerns. While Super Cruise is marketed as a hands-free aid, drivers are mandated to remain engaged and alert, with several built-in features that enforce attentiveness. Should the driver's attention drift, the steering wheel will blink and the driver's seat will vibrate as an initial warning. Continuing to ignore these alerts will escalate to the car turning on its hazards, slowing down, and contacting OnStar, according to CBS News Detroit.
Among the fresh features, GM touts collaborative steering and driver-requested offset; this update allows more nuanced control for the driver while maintaining the hands-free status. Forbes' coverage detailed these advancements with Jeff Miller, chief engineer at GM, expressing the goal to "provide the greatest benefit to our customers and to make sure that we maintain the lead." Despite the rollout of such sophisticated systems, GM pointedly reminds users that vigilance is paramount and that, unlike automated systems developed by Waymo or Cruise, Super Cruise requires a human supervisor ready to intervene.
This significant deployment comes after more than 160 million miles of Super Cruise-enabled driving sans accidents, as noted by Forbes. It's a stark contrast to the hundreds of incidents reported while using competing systems like Tesla's AutoPilot. With ongoing improvements and anticipated model expansions, including the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox, GM eyes fortifying its lead in the hands-free driving arena, aiming for consumer confidence and expanded utility in the daily commute and beyond.
