General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) announced on Sunday that it will offer a number of self-driving features in the 2017 Cadillac CTS sedan. The features, which will come standard on the car, will enable it to measure other vehicles’ speed and location—but only if they have the same technology.
Benefits of GM’s technology
In the press release announcing the new technology, GM described what it calls “vehicle to vehicle” communication. In addition to interacting with other vehicles, the system can interact with infrastructure like traffic lights after they are fitted with the technology. It can also warn drivers about any potential threat while they drive, like things that occur outside of their line of sight.
The automaker said it’s necessary to develop “common standards and a security framework” for the vehicle to vehicle technology. If standards are developed, vehicles made by different companies would be able to communicate and interact with each other. GM said it has been working within the auto industry to help develop these standards.
GM tells drivers to “take a break”
GM also announced that an unnamed model will feature a Super Cruise function. That will enable the vehicle to remain in the center of the lane while also maintaining the set speed and controlling braking. The technology works by using sensors to detect radar signals and analyze GPS and mapping data and other sources of information.
The feature will enable the car to stay at the speed limit and even take over in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. The automaker emphasized that the self-driving capability still requires drivers to remain attentive to their surroundings. GM said current technology cannot adequately replace drivers because of issues like weather and visibility of lane markers.
GM CEO Mary Barra said, “If the mood strikes you on the high-speed road from Barstow, Calif. to Las Vegas, you can take a break from the wheel and pedals and let the car do the work,” reports the BBC.
