Super Cruise, a hands-free driving technology for the highway that utilizes both a driver attention system and precision LiDAR map data to ensure safer vehicle operation on the highway, will be available on the 2018 Cadillac CT6.
Designed for long-distance travel and daily commutes, the Super Cruise system helps drivers safely complete common tasks in the car, including using the navigation system, adjusting the audio system, or taking a phone call. Adding automatic lane-centering to the vehicle’s existing suite of driver assistance technology enables automatic control of speed and steering during highway driving.
Though existing driver assist systems only rely on steering wheel input and warning messages to request driver action, the driver attention system uses a small camera located on top of the steering column that focuses exclusively on the driver and works with infrared lights to track head position to determine where the driver is looking whenever Super Cruise is operating.
If the system detects the driver has turned attention away from the road for too long, it will prompt the driver to return their attention to the road ahead, and Super Cruise will continue to steer until they resume supervision.
“Super Cruise is a more technologically advanced hands-free driving solution, which in terms of capability, integration, and validation is uniquely focused on customer convenience and safety,” says Johan de Nysschen, president of Cadillac. “Cadillac’s philosophy is to elevate driving. Super Cruise enables safe, simple hands-free driving for the highway.”
The systems work in tandem with a network of cameras and radar sensors in the vehicle, providing a data-driven approach to driver assistance.
If the system determines continued inattentiveness, a steering wheel light bar guides the driver to look at the road or take back control of the wheel. Additional alerts can include visual indicators in the instrument cluster, tactile alerts in Cadillac’s Safety Alert Seat, and audible alerts, if necessary.
In the limited event of an unresponsive driver, the Cadillac CT6 utilizes the full capability of onboard driver assistance technologies to bring the car to a controlled stop and contact OnStar to alert first responders, if necessary.
Super Cruise will be available this fall in the U.S. and Canadian markets.
