There have been radar- and image-controlled systems on cars and commercial vehicles for years now, systems that control throttle and braking to maintain a given distance around obstacles like other motorists and even to prevent rollover accidents in semi-tractor trailers.  There are lane-departure devices that will warn the motorist if his vehicle is nearing the line at the edge of his lane.  The new system from the Cadillac division of GM takes things one step further by taking the wheel.

Dubbed Super Cruise, the new system is slated to debut by 2016, and functions very much like standard cruise control.  The driver activates the system with a button on the steering wheel and Super Cruise takes over direct control of the braking, acceleration and steering functions of the vehicle.  

Three separate radar signal and a video camera in the rearview mirror feed data, including the road markings ahead and to the side of the vehicle to a processor, which uses this data to keep the car safely in the center of its lane and maintain a minimum safe distance from objects both stationary and moving.  The system is programmed to adapt to a driver’s behavior as well, watching passively even not activated.  If a driver prefers a greater distance between his vehicle and others in the lane beside him, Super Cruise will learn that over time and steer the car accordingly.  

The Super Cruise system also has active GPS and the ability to compare the vehicle’s position with local road maps, thus allowing it to react to upcoming changes in the roadway like curves or even elevation changes.  If for whatever reason (weather, road conditions, etc) the system decides that the vehicle should be piloted by a human being, a warning is felt in the driver’s seat, signaling him to take back the wheel.

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