Self-driving cars may be coming sooner than we expected with Cadillac testing a "Super Cruise" semi-autonomous technology.
According to the General Motor's statement on Friday, the system can be ready for production by mid-decade. When it becomes available, drivers have less to do on the freeway in both bumper-to-bumper traffic and on long road trips. The technology is said to combine radar, ultrasonic sensors, cameras, and GPS map data to perform automatic steering, braking, and lane-centering in highway driving under certain optimal condition.
"Super Cruise has the potential to improve driver performance and enjoyment,” said the vice president of Cadillac marketing, Don Butler.
“Our goal with advanced technologies, like this and our CUE system, is to lead in delivering an intuitive user experience," said Butler.
The Monday's report said many of the building block technologies for Super Cruise are already available on certain models of Cadillac, such as the 2013 Cadillac XTS and ATS luxury sedans, as part of the Driver Assist Package. The system features 360 degrees of crash risk detection, real automatic braking, intelligent brake assist, automatic collision preparation, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert to name a few.
"The key to delivering semi-autonomous capability will be the integration of lane-centering technology that relies on forward-looking cameras to detect lane marking and GPS map data to detect curves and other road characteristics,” said John Capp, GM director of Global Active Safety Electronics and Innovation.
Capp added that the primary reason for the system is to boost safety.
“In the coming years, autonomous driving systems paired with advanced safety systems could help eliminate the crash altogether by interceding on behalf of drivers before they’re even aware of a hazardous situation. More than ever, consumers will be able to trust their car to do the right thing," said Capp.
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