Is Super Cruise Level 3?

By Alice Nichols

Have you heard of Super Cruise? It’s a feature that has been making waves in the world of autonomous driving.

But is it really Level 3 autonomous technology? Let’s dive into what exactly Super Cruise is and where it stands in terms of autonomy.

What is Super Cruise?

Super Cruise is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) developed by General Motors for its Cadillac brand. It combines various sensors, cameras, and mapping data to provide a hands-free driving experience on select highways in the United States and Canada. The system uses a combination of adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and other features to keep the car centered in its lane and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.

How does Super Cruise work?

Super Cruise uses a combination of sensors and cameras to scan the road ahead and determine the vehicle’s position on the road. It also uses real-time mapping data to anticipate upcoming curves, hills, and other hazards.

The system can detect when the driver is paying attention to the road ahead using a camera mounted on top of the steering column that tracks eye movements. If the driver looks away from the road for too long or falls asleep, Super Cruise will alert them to take over driving duties.

Is Super Cruise Level 3?

This is where things get a bit tricky. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has defined six levels of autonomy for vehicles from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full automation). Level 3 is defined as “conditional automation,” which means that the vehicle can handle most driving tasks but still requires human intervention in certain situations.

While Super Cruise can handle most driving tasks on select highways, it still requires human intervention in certain situations such as construction zones or when exiting highways. Therefore, it does not meet all of SAE’s requirements for Level 3 autonomy.

However, General Motors has stated that Super Cruise is “a major milestone” on the road to Level 3 and beyond. The company has also announced plans to introduce a new version of Super Cruise in 2022 that will be capable of handling more complex driving scenarios.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Super Cruise is not yet Level 3 autonomous technology according to SAE’s definition, it is still a significant advancement in the world of autonomous driving. It represents a step towards a future where cars can handle more and more driving tasks on their own, making our roads safer and more efficient.

So, if you’re lucky enough to own a Cadillac with Super Cruise, enjoy the hands-free driving experience but remember to pay attention to the road ahead. After all, we’re not quite at Level 3 yet!