You've heard CarProUSA Radio Show host Jerry Reynolds praise GM's Enhanced Super Cruise autonomous driving technology. Most recently, in his 2021 Cadillac Escalade review. Well, now the technology is coming to the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 with a new Super Cruise feature, hands-free towing. It will be available in late model year 2022 Sierra models.
GMC describes it like this: "Super Cruise introduces on the Sierra the capability to trailer while driving hands-free on compatible roads." Check out GM's demo video below:
The Sierra will also introduce Super Cruise hands-free automatic lane change (but you can't do it while trailering.) Another new feature is enhanced navigation with compatible roads displayed in the in the in-vehicle navigation systems.
GM says it plans to introduce new Super Cruise features to six models across the 2022 lineup. Vehicles include select model year 2022 Super Cruise enabled vehicles that include the Cadillac Escalade, Cadillac CT4, Cadillac CT5, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and the GMC Sierra. Select model year 2021 vehicle owners will also be able to update their Super Cruise systems with an over-the-air update.
"We’re excited to expand Super Cruise to even more new models with additional capabilities to provide our customers with even more opportunities to go hands-free,” said Mario Maiorana, Super Cruise chief engineer. “The additional Super Cruise-enabled vehicles and new features are an important step toward our goal of enabling hands-free driving 95% of the time and getting people more comfortable with letting go of the wheel.”
GMC says Super Cruise will be available on 22 vehicles by 2023, including the new Cadillac LYRIQ and GMC HUMMER EV SUV.
GM calls Super Cruise the industry’s first true hands-free driver-assistance system. It uses a driver attention system and precision LiDAR generated map data in addition to real-time cameras, sensors and GPS. A small camera located on the top of the steering column uses infrared lights to determine where the driver is looking whenever Super Cruise is in operation. If the driver attention system detects the driver has turned their gaze away from the road ahead for too long, the steering wheel light bar will prompt the driver to return their attention to the road.
You can check out Jerry's recent demo of the Enhanced Super Cruise system in his review of the all-new 2021 Cadillac Escalade. (It does not include the hands-free towing capability and other new Super Cruise features being introduced in 2022.)