We are one step closer to the steering wheel villain from WALL-E becoming a reality
Several semi-autonomous driving technologies have begun to emerge across the automotive industry. While they all serve the same basic purpose, the way these technologies go about achieving that function vary greatly.
Recently, Consumer Reports ranked four of these systems in terms of their effectiveness. In the end, Consumer Reports found Cadillac’s Super Cruise to be the best semi-autonomous feature.
Other systems tested by Consumer Reports included Tesla’s Autopilot, Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist. Autopilot was ranked as the second best of these systems, with ProPilot finishing third and Volvo’s Pilot Assist ending up in last place.
One major reason why Super Cruise stood out among its fellow technologies was its ability to know when it was within its “operational limits.” Super Cruise can only be activated on limited-access highways that GM has previously matched. At the same time, Super Cruise was the only one of the systems tested to warn drivers of merging lanes and off-ramps.
Super Cruise was also praised in terms of its ability to make sure drivers were engaged. Drivers must keep their eyes looking forward for extended periods of time while Super Cruise is in use.
On the other end of the spectrum, Volvo Pilot Assist was criticized for how it reacted when drivers became disengaged. If such behavior is detected, Pilot Assist completely shuts off.
Consumer Reports also considered how the technologies were marketed. Specifically, if automaker’s promoted these semi-autonomous technologies as “autonomous” or “self-driving” features, Consumer Reports considered this to be a form of false advertising.
As an increasing amount of semi-autonomous technologies begin to emerge, it will be important for drivers to pay attention to exactly how each automaker’s system actually achieves that goal.
News Sources: Consumer Reports, Jalopnik
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