General Motors Co. has unveiled plans to release a hands-free Cadillac model in just two years.
The U.S. automaker announced that a 2017 Cadillac model will include "Super Cruise" technology, which will control steering as well as acceleration and braking. Mary Barra, the company's chief executive officer, made the announcement in a speech at the Intelligent Transport System World Congress in Detroit.
"With Super Cruise, when there's a congestion alert on roads like California's Santa Monica Freeway, you can let the car take over and drive hands-free and feet-free through the worst stop-and-go traffic around," Barra said in her speech. "If the mood strikes you on the high-speed road from Barstow, California, to Las Vegas, you can take a break from the wheel and pedals and let the car do the work. Having it done for you — that's true luxury."
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Jon Lauckner, GM's chief technology officer, was quick to point out to reporters that the Super Cruise function isn't a self-driving car. Drivers using the Super Cruise technology will still need to be "alert and ready to take the wheel if traffic conditions become too complex," Lauckner told reporters before Barra's speech. Amid safety concerns over GM's recent vehicle recalls, Barra also announced GM's plans to create "vehicle-to-vehicle" technology for cars to communicate with each other about traffic hazards.
