GM Delays Launch of Semi-Autonomous Driving Technology
Automaker works to perfect Super Cruise.
General Motors has pushed back the rollout of its Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving feature that will debut on the Cadillac CT6. According to a report fromAutomotive News, the automaker needs more time to perfect the technology.
0:00 / 0:00
"Getting the technology right and doing it safely is most important, so the exact month of introduction cannot be announced at this time," GM told the publication. The automaker didn't give a specific reason for the delay.
Originally, GM targeted a fall 2016 launch for Super Cruise, but now, the technology is set to arrive sometime in 2017. Super Cruise will be capable of hands-free lane following, braking, and speed control at higher speeds as well as in stop-and-go traffic. But it doesn't allow for fully autonomous driving, as it simply aims to ease a driver's workload behind the wheel.
The delay comes just as Tesla releases its Autopilot semi-autonomous driving technology. At the launch, Tesla said the software update was more of a "public beta" and that drivers should still exercise caution and keep their hands on the wheel when using the semi-autonomous features, which include automated lane changing and steering. Still, that hasn't stopped YouTube hooligans from posting videos of themselves doing risky things inside the semi-autonomous cars. Tesla recently released an update that places more boundaries on Autopilot's autonomous functions.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
Read More