General Motors has launched ‘Hands Free, Eyes On,’ an education programme to encourage consumer confidence in the use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as part of the company’s commitment to the safe deployment of the technology. To avoid concern and confusion about the benefits of ADAS as they become more widely available, GM intends to give consumers more information so that they are “informed, excited and confident” about the systems.
“We know that to help achieve our vision of zero crashes, we must increase the adoption of ADAS and proactively highlight the benefits they offer,” said Scott Miller, Vice President Software Defined Vehicle and Operating System at GM. “To increase usage, we must help drivers understand how currently available technologies, like Super Cruise, work and the responsibility drivers have when using ADAS features. We want customers to be assured of what we are doing to safely deploy these technologies.”
Hands Free, Eyes On is designed to explain the current state of ADAS available to customers – from active safety to hands-free features like Super Cruise – all of which require the driver’s constant attention to the road, versus fully autonomous driving that does not require driver intervention. With a hands-free enabled vehicle such as one equipped with Super Cruise, the driver is responsible for the vehicle’s operation, meaning their eyes must be on the road at all times, even when their hands are free.
GM said it is committed to the safe deployment of current and future ADAS, helping consumers to understand their capabilities and how to properly use them.
The company’s core elements of safe deployment include:
- A commitment to testing and validation
- Integrating a comprehensive set of sensor technologies
- Ensuring technologies have driver attention systems
- Keeping maps updated by monitoring roads and working with the public sector
- Educating consumers and other stakeholders
GM added that it will share free, continuously updated ADAS educational resources and best practices on its website and social channels.