General Motors has announced new details about its upcoming Ultra Cruise driver assistance technology, including the ability to drive hands-free in 95% of scenarios. Ultra Cruise will debut on the 2024 Cadillac Celestiq, a hand-built luxury electric vehicle with a price tag of $300,000. It will build upon the already excellent Super Cruise with a unique sensor suite that provides a 360-degree view of the vehicle.
Vehicles equipped with Ultra Cruise will have more than 20 sensors, including cameras, radars, and LiDAR, managed by an all-new computing system and driver attention system to make sure the driver is watching the road. These technologies combine through "sensor fusion" to give an accurate view around the car. GM isn't taking any chances with safety.
"GM's fundamental strategy for all ADAS features, including Ultra Cruise, is safely deploying these technologies," said Jason Ditman, GM chief engineer, Ultra Cruise. "A deep knowledge of what Ultra Cruise is capable of, along with the detailed picture provided by its sensors, will help us understand when Ultra Cruise can be engaged and when to hand control back to the driver. We believe consistent, clear operation can help build drivers' confidence in Ultra Cruise."
While Super Cruise only works on certain roads, Ultra Cruise should function on nearly all paved public roads in the US and Canada. These include tight city streets, local streets, and rural roads. The software's functionality will increase over time via over-the-air updates.
The Celestiq's high price tag means that only very wealthy buyers will experience Ultra Cruise at launch, but GM says it will expand the technology to "more customers on more vehicles, in more regions at more price points." If Ultra Cruise works as well on local roads as Super Cruise does on highways, it will likely be the most comprehensive L2 Plus driving system on the market.
Tesla's Full Self Driving Capability can not operate hands-free and Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot is the first L3 system in the US, but it will only be available in Nevada at speeds of up to 45 mph at launch.