This year, new technologies will enable more drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel (方向盘) while on the road. But that doesn't mean their cars will be fully self-driving— that day still remains far in the future.
Automakers like General Motors (GM), Ford and Stellates are introducing, or upgrading existing technologies. But in the words of Kay Stepper, an automated driving expert, these systems are" feet off and "hands off", but they will not be "eyes off or "mind off'.
For the time being, these systems will only be used on limited-access highways, where there are no pedestrians (行人) or bicyclists. Vehicles with this technology will be able to drive at relatively high speeds, but only in simple traffic situations.
Bryan Reimer, a researcher with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Age Lab, said it will be decades before people can buy truly self-driving cars in which humans ride as passengers.
Still, the technology that will be rolled out by the major automakers this year will do more than most so-called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, do now.
GM's Super Cruise system allows drivers to completely let go off the steer-ing wheel while driving on selected highways. It was introduced in 2017 on the Cadillac CT6 sedan, which was discontinued last year. An improved version is coming this year on the Cadillac Escalade SUV and the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans.
Super Cruise only works on highways that have been previously laser-mapped in three dimensions. GPS positioning and the vehicles' radar sensors and cameras are used to enable drivers to unhand all the controls.
Drivers still need to pay attention, however. A camera in the car makes sure the driver is looking at the road at all times. If the driver looks away from the road for more than a few seconds, the system will stop working.
