Seven years after General Motors (GM) introduced its Super Cruise hands-free driving system, the automaker is now aiming to take it to the next level by developing a hands-off, eyes-off driver assistance system. Dave Richardson, GM’s Senior Vice President of Software and Services Engineering, revealed the company’s ambitions during a recent interview with TechCrunch.
“We’re looking aggressively to make that an L3 solution, where you don’t even have to look at the road anymore,” Richardson said, referring to a Level 3 system that could operate on highways and at reduced speeds without requiring constant driver attention.
Although Level 3 systems are not fully autonomous, they represent a significant leap beyond today’s standard Level 2 systems, such as Tesla’s Autopilot and Ford’s Blue Cruise, which require drivers to remain attentive. The only automaker currently offering a limited Level 3 system in the U.S. is Mercedes-Benz, with its Drive Pilot.
GM’s Super Cruise, launched in 2017, was the first true hands-free driver assistance system on the market. Despite its innovation, it initially faced criticism for limited availability, as it was only offered on the Cadillac CT6 for three years. Today, the system is more widely available across GM brands, including Chevrolet and GMC, with plans to extend coverage to 750,000 miles of U.S. and Canadian roads by 2025.
“When we have L3, I do think that’s meaningful … I think that’s a game changer,” Richardson remarked, though he declined to give a specific timeline for the system’s release. He added, “If you don’t quite trust it, and it kicks you out, it almost becomes more stressful, like driving with a 15-year-old learning how to drive.”
GM’s recent hires, including Anantha Kancherla as Vice President of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), indicate the company is accelerating its efforts. Kancherla, formerly of Lyft’s autonomous vehicle unit, is tasked with expanding Super Cruise and exploring new innovations.
Source: TechCrunch
