GM Delays Super Cruise Technology on Cadillac CT6

DETROIT – Car shoppers who are anxious to get their hands on GM’s first semi-autonomous technology, originally set to debut this year on the 2016 Cadillac CT6 flagship sedan, are facing a delay.

General Motors confirmed that its Super Cruise technology is set for an introduction in 2017, several months past an expected on-sale date.

“Super Cruise breaks new ground with true hands-free capability for the highway and will be introduced in 2017,” GM said in a statement in response to a query from Edmunds. “Getting the technology right and doing it safely is most important, so the exact month of introduction cannot be announced at this time.”

Super Cruise is capable of semi-automated driving, including hands-off lane following, braking and speed control under certain driving conditions, according to the automaker.

“The system is designed to ease the driver’s workload on freeways only, in bumper-to-bumper traffic and on long road trips,” GM said. “However, the driver’s attention is still required.”

Automakers are being cautious as they introduce self-driving features.

Tesla Motors on Sunday said it is limiting the hands-free operation of its Autopilot driving system in the Tesla Model S sedan as it adds updates.

The move follows YouTube videos posted by some Tesla drivers that show what appear to be near-misses on the road with Autopilot.

“I’m not aware of any cases where Autopilot caused an accident,” said Tesla CEO Elon Musk in a media conference call. “In fact, even the cases where people did pretty crazy things – set the car in autonomous mode and got into the backseat – none of those resulted in accidents.”

The Autosteer feature in what Tesla calls Autopilot 7.1 software is now restricted on residential roads and roads without a center divider.

Edmunds says: GM wants to perfect the Super Cruise system, so car shoppers will have to be patient and wait a bit longer for the rollout of the technology.