It certainly gets your attention.
To experience the full-on Driver Assist system, we did the same exercise but with an added twist: reversing toward a solid post. Although it was difficult to surrender control and trust the system, it worked like a charm. By using radar and ultrasonic sensors, the system began with alerts – the seat vibrating frantically – and eventually intervened with automatic braking.
It doesn't do it gently either; it's a rather violent stop designed to shock the driver out of oblivious complacency. Immediately upon sensing the driver's foot on the brake, the vehicle surrenders control back to the driver and releases the emergency brake. Taub says that one of the greatest challenges they faced during the development of the systems was creating a seamless interface between the driver and the technology – with an emphasis on releasing control back to the driver as intuitively as possible.
Taking it to the track, we practiced drifting out of our lane, only to be "buzzed" on the respective cheek as a gentle warning.
Introducing another vehicle ahead of us, the GM folk guided us through the Driver Awareness adaptive cruise control while our vehicle slowed down or accelerated back up in relation to position of the CTS sedan ahead. Moving up to the Driver Assist package adds Front and Rear braking, which helps prevent front and rear collisions in stop-and-go traffic with a series of alerts and eventually full braking if necessary.
Next, we experienced the Frontal Collision Alert system at work. The driver can modify the settings for near, medium or far which varies its sensitivity and the amount of reaction time he requires. If the driver does fail to react, it sets the Automatic Collision Preparation in motion, applying the brakes to either avoid the collision entirely or at least, lessen the impact.
While driving enthusiasts bemoan the ever-increasing control of "nanny" technology – the reality is that most drivers look upon their commute as tedious and embrace anything that gives them respite from its drudgery. Since a great number of commuters routinely practice dangerous habits, behaving as though they're already driving semi-autonomous vehicles – why not make the roads safer for everyone?
To experience the full-on Driver Assist system, we did the same exercise but with an added twist: reversing toward a solid post. Although it was difficult to surrender control and trust the system, it worked like a charm. By using radar and ultrasonic sensors, the system began with alerts – the seat vibrating frantically – and eventually intervened with automatic braking.
It doesn't do it gently either; it's a rather violent stop designed to shock the driver out of oblivious complacency. Immediately upon sensing the driver's foot on the brake, the vehicle surrenders control back to the driver and releases the emergency brake. Taub says that one of the greatest challenges they faced during the development of the systems was creating a seamless interface between the driver and the technology – with an emphasis on releasing control back to the driver as intuitively as possible.
Taking it to the track, we practiced drifting out of our lane, only to be "buzzed" on the respective cheek as a gentle warning.
Introducing another vehicle ahead of us, the GM folk guided us through the Driver Awareness adaptive cruise control while our vehicle slowed down or accelerated back up in relation to position of the CTS sedan ahead. Moving up to the Driver Assist package adds Front and Rear braking, which helps prevent front and rear collisions in stop-and-go traffic with a series of alerts and eventually full braking if necessary.
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| Photo: General Motors |
Next, we experienced the Frontal Collision Alert system at work. The driver can modify the settings for near, medium or far which varies its sensitivity and the amount of reaction time he requires. If the driver does fail to react, it sets the Automatic Collision Preparation in motion, applying the brakes to either avoid the collision entirely or at least, lessen the impact.
While driving enthusiasts bemoan the ever-increasing control of "nanny" technology – the reality is that most drivers look upon their commute as tedious and embrace anything that gives them respite from its drudgery. Since a great number of commuters routinely practice dangerous habits, behaving as though they're already driving semi-autonomous vehicles – why not make the roads safer for everyone?
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