GM Unveils Advanced Driver Assistance 'Ultra Cruise'... Capable of Handling 95% of Situations

Super Cruise for Entry-Level Models, Ultra Cruise for Premium Models

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] General Motors (GM) announced on the 11th that it has unveiled its cutting-edge driver assistance technology, 'Ultra Cruise.' Ultra Cruise is designed to handle more than 95% of all possible situations that may occur on the road.

According to GM, at the time of launch, Ultra Cruise will be applicable to over 2 million miles (approximately 3.22 million km) of roads in the United States and Canada, with the potential to expand up to 3.4 million miles (approximately 5.74 million km). Customers will be able to experience hands-free driving on almost all roads, including highways, city streets, and alleyways, through Ultra Cruise.

GM plans to implement a dual advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) lineup strategy, equipping popular models with Super Cruise and premium models with Ultra Cruise. Doug Parks, GM Vice President, stated, "Through the combination of Ultra Cruise for premium models and Super Cruise for entry-level models, we plan to offer driver assistance technology across all price ranges and segments."

Ultra Cruise operates through a 5-nanometer-based variable computing architecture implemented via the Ultifi software platform and Vehicle Intelligence platform. Users can add various features and services to Ultra Cruise via over-the-air (OTA) wireless updates.

Ultra Cruise adds several functions to the key features of Super Cruise, including ▲ delivering information to customers through a newly designed dynamic display ▲ responding to traffic control devices ▲ compliance with built-in navigation routes ▲ maintaining lane position and speed limits ▲ supporting automatic and manual lane changes ▲ supporting left/right turns ▲ avoiding nearby obstacles ▲ assisting with parking in residential areas.

Additionally, the Ultra Cruise system operates 360 degrees around the vehicle. Its smart diagnostic and learning program automatically recognizes situations requiring updates to the Ultra Cruise system, enabling the recording of data from vehicles equipped with the system. These records are then used to continuously improve the system through GM’s data network.

Ultra Cruise functions through a combination of various cameras, including radar and LiDAR, representing the vehicle’s surrounding environment accurately and comprehensively in a three-dimensional statistical manner. Notably, Ultra Cruise also includes an integrated LiDAR device mounted behind the front windshield.

The core element of Ultra Cruise is the Human Machine Interface (HMI), which displays information to the driver and communicates when the system needs to intervene in vehicle control. Based on the HMI features currently equipped in Super Cruise, the Ultra Cruise HMI also confirms to the driver that the system is operating within the same field of view.

The Ultra Cruise Dynamic Display is an initial form of HMI applied to vehicles equipped with Ultra Cruise, featuring a free-form display positioned directly in the driver’s line of sight. This device is designed to help drivers maintain focus on driving.

Furthermore, Ultra Cruise’s HMI strategy includes supporting drivers to take direct control of the vehicle whenever necessary during driving. The Driver Attention Camera feature equipped in Super Cruise will also be applied to Ultra Cruise.

GM is developing an Ultra Cruise app that can be operated from the central display of parked vehicles equipped with Ultra Cruise. Through this app, customers will be able to check various statistics related to the driver, driving distance, and history details.

Meanwhile, Ultra Cruise will be installed in GM’s lineup equipped with hands-free advanced driver assistance systems starting in 2023 and will be introduced first through Cadillac models.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.