General Motors (GM) has announced a significant expansion of its "Super Cruise" system, adding approximately 350,000 miles of roadways in the United States and Canada where drivers can utilize this partially automated driving technology.
The logo of American carmaker General Motors (GM) is seen three days before the opening of the Geneva Motor Show, on March 2, 2009 in Geneva. The auto industry will put ecology and economy on display to try to reverse plunging sales, plant closures, lay-offs and threatened bankruptcies. The first European rendezvous of the year, in neutral territory -- Switzerland has no major car maker -- from March 5 to 15 is still expected to attract 700,000 visitors, according to the organisers.
Super Cruise of GM
According to the Associated Press, this expansion represents a substantial increase, effectively doubling the road miles compatible with the Super Cruise system.
GM said the expansion encompasses various types of roads, including limited-access divided highways and two-lane roads linking urban centers to rural areas and smaller towns to each other.
GM's Super Cruise is designed to manage roads with intersections and crossing traffic, which have typically posed challenges for other automated driving technologies.
With Super Cruise, drivers can momentarily take their hands off the steering wheel, although they must remain vigilant and prepared to intervene as the vehicles cannot operate autonomously.
GM asserted that Super Cruise is equipped to handle crossing traffic scenarios by employing various responses such as braking, lane changing, or alerting the driver to resume control, depending on the circumstances. Super Cruise utilizes a combination of radar and camera sensors to detect obstacles on the road.
Hands-Free Operation of Super Cruise
Kelly Funkhouser, Associate Director of Vehicle Technology at Consumer Reports' auto test center, commended Super Cruise for its driver-monitoring system, which includes an infrared camera to ensure drivers remain focused on the road ahead.
However, Funkhouser highlighted potential concerns with allowing hands-free operation on two-lane roads, expressing apprehension about possible delays in reaction time, particularly in scenarios where drivers may be distracted by activities like holding food or beverages.
Before this expansion, Super Cruise was compatible with approximately 400,000 miles of roads, primarily interstate highways and major routes connecting urban areas.
According to GM, the additional miles will be gradually integrated through software updates at no extra cost to consumers, with the process expected to continue throughout the coming year.
Last month, GM unveiled its plans to move forward with plug-in hybrids as part of its clean energy portfolio following the challenges it experienced in 2020 when it sold battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
GM said in the company's Q4 2023 financial report that it would only be available to specific models in North America. Read more about this development here.
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