Will Your 2017 Cadillac Have “Super Cruise” Technology?

General Motors is hoping to take the lead in the race to have the most alert vehicle on the road. GM announced on September 7^th that an unnamed Cadillac of the 2017 model year is expected to have their new “Super Cruise” safety system.

GM CEO, Mary Barra, announced the new in-car system at the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) World Congress in Detroit, MI. During her address she said, “We are not doing this for the sake of the technology itself. We’re doing it because it’s what customers around the world want. Through technology and innovation, we will make driving safer.”

The new “Super Cruise” system is part of a V2V technology package. With the component in place, drivers will ideally have assistance during their roadway travel. According to an official press release from GM, the new system provides, “hands-off lane following, braking and speed control in certain highway driving conditions.” Referring to the new in-car system Barra added that drivers will be able to, “let the car take over and drive hands-free and feet-free through the worst stop and go traffic around.”

The reason for this innovation is safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated in 2010 that the economical and societal impact of traffic accident is $870 billion dollars per year. On this subject Barra said, that, “Advancing technology so that people can more safely live their lives is a responsibility we embrace.” The “Super Cruise” system along with the possible V2V government mandate in 2017 is part of a push for safer roads for a population of increasingly distracted drivers. We will continue to follow this story as more updates occur both from vehicle manufacturers and the U.S. Federal Government.