GM's Next ADAS Goes ‘Ultra’

GM's latest SAE Level 2 system will enable hands-free operation in “95% of driving scenarios.”

GM recently announced the next generation of its hands-free Super Cruise advanced driver-assist system (ADAS), upping the label to “Ultra Cruise.” GM claims the Ultra Cruise system, expected to appear first on Cadillac models in 2023, will ultimately enable hands-free driving on all paved public roads in the U.S. and Canada in “95% of driving scenarios.” At launch next year, the system is expected to cover more than 2 million miles of roads, with the capacity to grow to more than 3.4 million miles.

Describing the system as a “door-to-door hands-free driving experience,” GM claims owners of Ultra Cruise-equipped vehicles will be able to travel hands-free across nearly every road, including highways, city and subdivision streets, along with paved rural routes. GM noted that its system has been developed completely in-house (via collaborating teams based in Israel, the U.S., Canada, and Ireland). Ultra Cruise will co-exist within the company's lineup with Super Cruise, which will become more widely available on mainstream vehicles, with Ultra Cruise reserved for more premium entries.