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GM's Ultra Cruise: Lidar Powers 95% Hands-Free Driving
3 Oct
Summary
- Ultra Cruise aims for hands-free driving on 95% of roads.
- Lidar, cameras, and radar will equip GM's next-gen driver assist.
- System requires driver vigilance despite advanced capabilities.
General Motors has revealed significant details about its next-generation Ultra Cruise driver-assist system, designed to enable hands-free driving across "95 percent" of North American paved roads. This advanced system will incorporate lidar, cameras, and radar, feeding data to a new onboard computer likely utilizing Qualcomm's Snapdragon Ride Platform.
The lidar sensor will be strategically placed behind the windshield near the rearview mirror, providing a 360-degree view of the vehicle's surroundings. This sensor suite aims to allow for hands-free operation on approximately 2 million miles of roads, a substantial expansion from GM's current Super Cruise system.
Despite its sophisticated capabilities, GM classifies Ultra Cruise as a Level 2 system, mandating driver vigilance. The system includes driver-attention monitoring to prevent complacency and will disengage if a driver fails to remain attentive, ensuring safety remains paramount.
GM is developing the Ultra Cruise software in-house, distinguishing it from its robotaxi subsidiary, Cruise. The inclusion of lidar, a technology that creates 3D maps of the environment, underscores GM's commitment to safety over cost, aligning with other automakers like Volvo and Mercedes-Benz who are also adopting lidar technology for their advanced driver-assistance systems.
