Official: GM's Ultra Cruise Delayed Until 2024

Jul. 31, 2023 12:14 PM ET byJarryd Neves Technology /Comments

It was initially expected to debut on the new Cadillac Celestiq.

General Motors' sophisticated driver assistance technology, Ultra Cruise, has been delayed, reportsMotorTrend．Speaking to the media at a seminar for hands-free driving systems, company officials admitted that Ultra Cruise will not come to the high-endCadillac Celestiqthis year.

The automaker has said Ultra Cruise will be introduced sometime in 2024 when the company is confident that it's time to utilize the system safely. The Celestiq, Cadillac's electric Rolls-Royce rival, is expected to head into production at the end of this year. This recent announcement suggests early models will go without Ultra Cruise, but hopefully, it can be retrofitted later.

GM is yet to disclose pricing for the hands-free driver-assist feature but it should be more expensive than the currentSuper Cruise system．

Like Super Cruise, Ultra Cruise is a Level 2 self-driving assist, which still requires the driver to be responsible for safely operating the vehicle. However, it differs from Super Cruise (which only works on certain roads) by being able to operate on most public paved roads in the United States. This includes rural roads, city streets, and narrow urban roads.

It relies on over 20 sensors, LiDAR, radars, and cameras. These systems are controlled by a new computer system and driver attention setup, which also monitors whether the driver is paying attention behind the wheel.

However, GM concedes that bad weather and roundabouts still pose a challenge to the technology, which is claimed to be operable in 95% of all driving situations.

GM customers looking for a stress-free commute must remain satisfied with Super Cruise. And satisfied they are, according to the manufacturer. Some 80,000 GM vehicles are currently fitted with the technology, with the automaker adding that it will be offered on 22 models (across all GM brands) by the end of 2023.

Jason Ditman, Chief Engineer at General Motors, previously said that the company's strategy for systems such as Ultra Cruise is to introduce them safely. "A deep knowledge of what Ultra Cruise is capable of, along with the detailed picture provided by its sensors, will help us understand when Ultra Cruise can be engaged and when to hand control back to the driver. We believe consistent, clear operation can help build drivers' confidence in Ultra Cruise."

Once it reaches the Celestiq, expect Ultra Cruise to be rolled out to other high-end GM vehicles, including theEscalade．