GM Launches Ultra Cruise, Hands-Free Driving Feature, Which Is More Sophisticated

GM launched the Super Cruise feature in 2017 for its Cadillac brand in the US. (photo: doc. General Motors)

JAKARTA - General Motors introduced its new hands-free driving feature, Ultra Cruise, on Wednesday, October 6. This is not the first assisted steering system that GM has made. The company launched the Super Cruise feature in 2017 for its Cadillac brand in the US.

Since then, expanded to other models. Last year, Consumer Reports found the Super Cruise to be better than Tesla's Autopilot. In the summer, GM announced updated features to include lane changes for trucks and SUVs, without using hands. The updated version is also considered the first hands-free technology in the automotive industry.

Ford and BMW also have hands-free driving software, Co-Pilot 360 and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, respectively. Ford is available on the Mustang Mach-E, while the BMW program is offered on high-end models.

Tesla is best known for its Autopilot feature, but it has been in the news for its many accidents, which show how difficult it is to get hands-free driving rights. Tesla has been working on the software since 2014.

GM's newest hands-free program, Ultra Cruise, is suitable for "95 percent of driving scenarios." GM's goal is not to have an accident with this technology and for it to be used on all paved roads in the US and Canada.

The system works on 2 million road miles and will expand to 3.4 million miles. As a result, drivers will be able to go hands-free on almost every road, including highways, paved country roads, and roads in cities and subdivisions.

Ultra Features

Ultra Cruise uses a 5-nanometer "Ultifi software platform and Vehicle Intelligence Platform". The program will be able to add features via "over-the-air updates." This system allows it to notify GM when programming needs to be improved. That way, the company can continue to improve the software.

Ultra Cruise builds on the features offered by Super Cruise. Drivers can now follow traffic while following speed limits, turning left and right, avoiding close objects, parking in residential driveways, and more. Users will also be able to get a "360-degree perception around the vehicle."

The hands-free system works via LiDAR, radar, and cameras to fully see the vehicle's surroundings. Ultra Cruise can also provide drivers with information and let them know when they need to be in control.

This is possible because of the Human Machine Interface. This system keeps drivers focused with a view they can clearly see on the dashboard. GM is currently building an Ultra Cruise app that will show drivers their stats and history, including trips. It will only be visible when the car is parked.

The Ultra Cruise will be selected for GM luxury models in 2023, starting with the Cadillac. The former assisted driving platform, Super Cruise, will be in the mainstream brand.