General Motors Co. in Detroit has launched “Hands Free, Eyes On,” a consumer education program to encourage consumer confidence in the use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
The effort is part of the automaker’s commitment to the safe deployment of technologies like its Super Cruise.
To avoid concern and confusion about the benefits of ADAS as they become more widely available, GM says it intends to give consumers more information so that they are better informed and confident in the technology.
“We know that to help achieve our vision of zero crashes, we must increase the adoption of ADAS and proactively highlight the benefits they offer,” says Scott Miller, vice president of software defined vehicle and operating systems at GM. “To increase usage, we must help drivers understand how currently available technologies, like Super Cruise, work and the responsibility drivers have when using ADAS features. We want customers to be assured of what we are doing to safely deploy these technologies.”
The “Hands Free, Eyes On” program is designed to explain the current state of ADAS that are available to customers, all of which require the driver’s constant attention to the road, versus fully autonomous driving that does not require driver intervention.
With a hands-free enabled vehicle like one equipped with Super Cruise, the driver is responsible for the vehicle’s operation. That means their eyes need to be on the road at all times, even when they are hands are free.
GM says it’s committed to the safe deployment of current and future advanced driver assistance systems as well as helping consumers understand their capabilities and how to properly use them.
Core elements of safe deployment include:
- A commitment to testing and validation.
- Integrating a comprehensive set of sensor technologies.
- Ensuring technologies have driver attention systems.
- Keeping maps updated by monitoring roads and working with the public sector.
- Educating consumers and other stakeholders.
GM says it plans to share free ADAS educational resources and best practices on GM.com and GM social channels. Content will be continuously updated.