CT6 Sedan

Make
Cadillac
Segment
Sedan

Just a few months ago, Cadillac teased a major update to its semi-autonomous Super Cruise system and said the new software would be coming via an over-the-air update but did not specify what it would entail. Now, the company has announced an expansion of Super Cruise's capability, which includes an additional 70,000 miles of highways in the United States and Canada that can be driven hands-free. The update will be made available by the fourth quarter of 2019 and according to Cadillac, it will make Super Cruise the world's first hands-free driving system on over 200,000 miles of highway.

Up until now, Super Cruise was able to cover 130,000 miles of limited-access freeways. Cadillac has published a map (pictured above) showing all of the highways that were previously covered (marked in green) and the 70,000 miles of new roads (marked in blue). The map does appear to be far more concentrated on the east coast, but the covered areas should continue to expand as Cadillac performs more testing.

Cadillac's Super Cruise system relies on a combination of LIDAR map data, high-precision GPS, a Driver Attention System, and a network of cameras and radar sensors to enable hands-free driving. Some of the divided highways added in this update will include limited intersections and traffic control devices, and in the event of a railroad or pedestrian crossing, stoplight, or stop sign, the system will alert the driver to take back control of the vehicle.

The update will be available for 2018 and 2019 model-year CT6s but will require a trip to the dealership to enable the system enhancement. Once the enhancement is completed, the additional map data will be sent via an OTA update in the summer and fall.

"We are constantly working to make Super Cruise the most beneficial system for our customers," said Mario Maiorana, Super Cruise chief engineer. "Expanding our offering of compatible highways will allow people the ease and convenience of traveling hands-free more often." Cadillac also mentions that Super Cruise will expand to new models such as the CT5, starting in 2020.